Happy Birthday New Year Babies
1-7 StrictlyWholesale
1-7 Modadesigns
1-7 CheapBoutique
1-7 JourneyInJewellery
1-8 jenharruff
1-27 Yodamoon
To connect with Etsy Sellers that share the unique background of growing up in a military family. To promote our art and increase our exposure to other military brats who participate,and to expand Etsy's customer base by attracting buyers through promotions and other marketing strategies.
1.01.2010
12.06.2009
Happy Birthday December babies
DECEMBER
12-9 SuperiorStones
12-9 MoonMystic
12-18 SexyGeekWithAttitude
12-27 LocoBead
12-18 MyDarlingBaby
12-31 LaughingFridge
11.09.2009
FeaturedArtist for November - Penguinetta Afghans
"Winters are Cold and Afghans are Warm"
Quote from Valarie
Every month, the Brat Team chooses one of it's members to “highlight;” this week, we are pleased to introduce our FEATURED ARTIST–SELLER…Valarie of Penguinetta Afghans.
*Tell us a bit about yourself?
I am a Navy brat, the oldest of six. My Dad retired when I was 14 and we moved back to his hometown in Mn. It was sever culture shock to say the least.
*What is the first thing you can remember making by hand?
How and why did you make it?The first thing I made was a macramé belt. I was in the 7th grade and got a macramé’ belt kit for Christmas; I was hooked! Before that I had attempted to make things but never finished a project.*What inspires you and where do your ideas come from?A lot of my inspiration comes from need; winters are cold in Mn and afghans are warm.
*What are your favorite materials?
*What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists on Etsy?
I think the most valuable lesson I have learned so far is that we are all connected. The brat team is great at supporting each other and rallying around to lend an extra hand when another is learning.
I opened my shop when I was jobless, homeless and depressed; For the first time in my life, I was very far away physically and emotionally from family. I felt an instant connection with the brats and realized that I wasn’t any worse off than anyone else and I was a lot more fortunate than many.
I opened my shop when I was jobless, homeless and depressed; For the first time in my life, I was very far away physically and emotionally from family. I felt an instant connection with the brats and realized that I wasn’t any worse off than anyone else and I was a lot more fortunate than many.
*Why should people buy handmade?
A handmade item is unique. Why have something that is exactly like something that someone else has?
*What features/services would you most like to see on Etsy?
I think it would be helpful if each new Etsy member was offered a mentor. There are so many tricks to getting your shop set up and things that you only learn once you’ve been around etsy for awhile
*Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I am the Safety and Training Coordinator for Johnson County Public Works in Olathe, Kansas. I began working in Sept after being unemployed for 10 months.
*Read any good books lately?
Baking cakes in Kidcaria.
*In ten years I'd like to be?
Settled and looking forward to retirement.
*How did you come up with your Etsy Shop Name?
My birth-mom is always calling me Penguinetta because I, the girl from Mn, is always cold. My sweetheart came up with Penguinetta’s Afghans.
*What is the connection between being a Crafter and being a Brat?
Moving all the time was difficult. I was shy and my mom was a bit over protective. I turned to crafts to fill my time. It gave me a sense of purpose to create things for people.
You can find me at
http://PenguinettaAfghans.etsy.com andhttp://www.linkedin.com/in/valeriehannon
Thanks for stopping by and getting to know one of our FAVORITE Brat SELLERS!
Robin
11.01.2009
10.21.2009
Our Fall Challenge WINNER !!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FALL CHALLENGE WINNER
http://www.beadworksbykerri.etsy.com/
http://www.beadworksbykerri.etsy.com/
Thankyou to all who entered our annual Fall Challenge.
10.17.2009
BRAT-TY FALL CHALLENGE
http://gingerbabies.etsy.comPolymer Clay Ghost 2" X 2 1/4" X 2 1/2"
http://elephantdreams.etsy.compumpkin nightlight 8 X 10 photograph
http://LaughingFridge.etsy.comAutumn Leaves magnet 2.5" X 3.5"
10.03.2009
Bratty Salute to our Featured Seller - Shirly of Paper Art Plus
*Tell us a bit about yourself?
I'm a misplaced Brit...and Brat..I live in Alaska with my hubby and we are lucky to have one of our children live up here too, so I have grandchildren to spoil on a regular basis! We came up here in 1987 when my hubby was still USAF. He retired here and then he went to work for the State of Alaska. He is now retired, so we waddle along together all day! My Dad was in the Royal Navy and we traveled to various parts of Great Britain and Malta before he left the service.
*What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?
I was around 7 years old and it was an apron. It was a school project and we were told to bring in some material to make it. It was supposed to be a surprise so I didn't tell my parents about it and a few months later, when my Dad went to put on his summer PJ’s, my parents discovered where I had got the material; I had cut off one of his PJ bottom's legs!! My parents thought the material had looked familiar! Hahaha!!
*What inspires you and where do your ideas come from?
Nature! I also have a small row of artwork hanging from a ceiling beam in my craft room from friends; these give me inspiration. Other ideas come from groups I’m involved with or surfing the web. I never copy anything...my mind just wanders off from what I’ve see and then I get creative for myself!
*What are your favorite materials?
Anything paper related! I also love to sew!~
*What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists on Etsy?
Never to give up!*
*Why should people buy handmade?
It's a so much more personal ..and usually unique!
*What features/services would you most like to see on Etsy?
An easier way around the forums!
*Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I am an avid 'farmer' on Facebook, but I also love to do real gardening. I email friends, enjoy my grandchildren and I like to go camping in the motor home!
http://www.facebook.com/A.Brit.in.Alaska
*Read any good books lately?
I love Margaret George and am eagerly awaiting a new book from her. I am an avid reader of historical fiction; the ones that really get into the history of the period but with some romance...especially fond of the Tudor period!
*In ten years I'd like to be?
Healthy, wealthy and wise!! Wise would be good!!
*How did you come up with your Etsy Shop Name?
I mostly work with paper related products and kept thinking 'hmm, “paper art plus, paper art plus”, when I was trying to think of a name. It sounded great and I thought that's it...it'll do!
*What is the connection between being a Crafter and being a Brat?
Crafting can easily travel with you...and it's a great way to make new friends...perfect for military families on the move!
Please visit Shirley’s Blog, “ A Brit in Alaska” at
http://abritinalaska.blogspot.com/
and stop by her Facebook Page and friend her - http://www.facebook.com/A.Brit.in.Alaska
Thanks for stopping by and getting to know one of our FAVORITE Brat SELLERS!
Thanks for stopping by and getting to know one of our FAVORITE Brat SELLERS!
10.02.2009
Happy Birthday October Babies
10-1 LabMade
10-6 littlepinkplum
10-6 IndigobayDesigns
10-6 terryann
10-31 blackbird72
10-31 deirdreryanphoto
10-31 Deirdresdesigns
8.31.2009
Happy Birthday September Brats
SEPTEMBER
9-9 LaughingFridge (John)
9-12 AngeeArt
9-12 PenguinettaAfghans
9-12 VisualiciousGourmet
9-12 WonderWorks
9-13 mrmoonsoriginals
9-13 Tlsexton0913
9-21 MotherofJackals
8.30.2009
September's Brat Feature - Jean of Moon Mystic's Handcrafted Gemstone Jewelry
Every month, the Brat Team chooses one of our members to “highlight.” This month, we are pleased to introduce our FEATURED ARTIST – SELLER… Jean of
*Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Jean and I live on the Western end of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in “Big Snow Country“ with my husband and four-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter. I also teach junior high and high school English.
*What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?
*What inspires you and where do your ideas come from?
Lately, a lot of my ideas come from nature. In my shop, SuperiorStones.etsy.com, I use a lot of natural beach stones, so I try to keep them as natural as possible and just give them a little accent. In my shop, SilverSmack.etsy.com, I do birds nests, pea pods, and many leaf inspired pieces.
“Seafoam Green Agate Smokey Quartz Woven Herringbone Wire Wrapped Silver Necklace”
*What are your favorite materials?
My current favorite materials are are flashy stones, like labradorite, moonstone, kyanite, and sunstone. I also love working with silver- hammering, oxidizing, texturing, buffing, twisting it, and just seeing what I can make it do.
*What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists on Etsy?
I have learned so much from the members at Etsy. Everything from taking better photographs, to making my blog three columns, to uploading my items to Google Base, to setting my shop up for Google Analytics, to accepting Propay and getting the Etsy discount, to drilling, tumbling, and wire wrapping. Everyone at Etsy is so helpful- and not just with information- with moral support too.
*Why should people buy handmade?
People should by handmade because it is better quality and it is special. Somebody was inspired to make it. It was someone’s vision.
*What features/services would you most like to see on Etsy?
I would like to be able to list faster, rearrange my shop, and I wish checkout was easier.
*Read any good books lately?
I’m just about to finish one. . .Don’t make me ruin it.
*In ten years I'd like to be?
Retired and debt-free handsomely supplementing my income making jewely. . .
“Beige Carved Bone Necklace”
*What is the connection between being a Crafter and being a Brat?
“Ice - Hammered Rock Crystal Fine Silver Eternity Textured Circle Silver Necklace”
Thanks for stopping by and getting to know one of our FAVORITE Brat SELLERS!
*Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Jean and I live on the Western end of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in “Big Snow Country“ with my husband and four-year-old son and eight-year-old daughter. I also teach junior high and high school English.
“Aqua Sea Glass Pearl Pendant Necklace”
*What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?
When I was younger, I loved these little fuzzy creatures called Weeples and you could buy them, of course, but they were really hard to find, so I started making my own. I bought little colored puff balls, and little google eyes, and little antennae, and little felt feet. I even started selling them in school for a quarter a piece.
“Green Amethyst Prasiolite Tsavorite Garnet Pearl Iolite Sterling Silver Cluster Pearl Pendant Necklace”
*What inspires you and where do your ideas come from?
Lately, a lot of my ideas come from nature. In my shop, SuperiorStones.etsy.com, I use a lot of natural beach stones, so I try to keep them as natural as possible and just give them a little accent. In my shop, SilverSmack.etsy.com, I do birds nests, pea pods, and many leaf inspired pieces.
“Seafoam Green Agate Smokey Quartz Woven Herringbone Wire Wrapped Silver Necklace”
*What are your favorite materials?
My current favorite materials are are flashy stones, like labradorite, moonstone, kyanite, and sunstone. I also love working with silver- hammering, oxidizing, texturing, buffing, twisting it, and just seeing what I can make it do.
“Daisy - Brown Carved Bone Knotted Pendant Necklace”
*What have been the most valuable lessons learned from other artists on Etsy?
I have learned so much from the members at Etsy. Everything from taking better photographs, to making my blog three columns, to uploading my items to Google Base, to setting my shop up for Google Analytics, to accepting Propay and getting the Etsy discount, to drilling, tumbling, and wire wrapping. Everyone at Etsy is so helpful- and not just with information- with moral support too.
“Rare Morenci Turquoise Blue Flash Labradorite and Gray Onyx Sterling Necklace”
*Why should people buy handmade?
People should by handmade because it is better quality and it is special. Somebody was inspired to make it. It was someone’s vision.
*What features/services would you most like to see on Etsy?
I would like to be able to list faster, rearrange my shop, and I wish checkout was easier.
“Textured Fine Silver Eternity Rings”
*Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I also teach, garden, play with my kids, bike, read, and ski (about seven months out of the year.)*Read any good books lately?
I’m just about to finish one. . .Don’t make me ruin it.
“Reflections of Gray”
*In ten years I'd like to be?
Retired and debt-free handsomely supplementing my income making jewely. . .
“Elegant Pearl Pink Swarovski Crystal Dangle Sterling Earwire Earrings”
*How did you come up with your Etsy Shop Name?
MoonMystic was supposed to be Mystic Moon, but Mystic Moon was taken. That one was just kind of a hasty decision because I needed a name for my business cards. Superior Stones was named that because I live near Lake Superior and I use Lake Superior stones in making that jewelry. SilverSmack was named thus because I love(Smack=kiss) working with silver and smacking it with my hammer.
“Beige Carved Bone Necklace”
*What is the connection between being a Crafter and being a Brat?
I was kind of lost on Etsy and the Brats were the first team I joined. They took me in and talked to me in the forums when no one else would. Patti or TerriAnn was always there with a hi or some kind words or just some acknowledgement of my existence. It was really nice to know there was a group of people with similar experiences who were just nice and I could just chat with. It was a place I knew I could always go to.
“Ice - Hammered Rock Crystal Fine Silver Eternity Textured Circle Silver Necklace”
Thanks for stopping by and getting to know one of our FAVORITE Brat SELLERS!
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