MrsGibson - The UK

For my first featured UK Etsy Artist, I would like to introduce you to MrsGibson. She has been a seller on Etsy now for over 2 years and has such a lovely shop featuring "Delicious handmade accessories, button bracelets, silver jewellery and vintage curiosities."

Here is a brief interview:

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Sam Gibson and I design and make jewelery under the name 'Mrs Gibson' from my Northamptonshire home in the UK. I have just turned 40 but still feel like an excited 20 something. I have a fabulously supportive family and two sons who are very proud that I make a living from my passion. I can't really imagine doing anything else and feel very lucky that I am 'living the dream'.


What is something that makes you and where you come from stand out?

I have a good eye for vintage trinkets, treasures and colour, luckily there are many old shops and flea markets where I live to indulge my passion for antiquing.


What is it that you create?

I create one of a kind jewelery pieces and handcrafted handbags. I do have a range of fun button jewelery which is ever popular and also sell my hand stitched illustrated art.


What inspired you to start creating?

I have always made things. Since I was very small I drew a lot, cooked and sewed. I had my first sewing machine when I was about 6, I don't remember a time when I didn't have something creative on the boil, when I take time off work I usually end up spending it making other stuff. Inspiration to continue creating comes from all around me, film, books, where I live, the fields and countryside that I see everyday. I love history, the Victorians, Edwardians and family tales of eccentric ancestors.


What is your most favorite item you have created?

See listing here.

See listing here.

I love the silver spoon charm necklaces I have made, I like combining lovely old objects with shiny crystals and old glass buttons. Also anything with pearls, I absolutely adore pearls and love working with them.


Any inspirations you would like to mention?

I love the potter Grayson Perry and artist Tracey Emin, looking at their work always gets me fired up. Day trips to galleries are very important to me as are walks around the town where I live and surrounding villages.Glossy magazines are great for trend news and lovely photographs to pour over.


Please share with us any blunders you have encountered as a seller, if any, and how you resolved the issue.

I have never encountered any real blunders, I make sure my descriptions and pictures are clear and concise, this will avoid most problems. Also outlining your policies, terms and conditions helps the customer make an informed purchase. I have only had one parcel go missing and one turn up opened and slightly damaged. I sent the customer another item and replaced the missing item. It's just good customer service. Make sure you have a little money put aside to cover any eventuality. Also never over reach yourself only promise what you know you can deliver.


Any tips or advice you would like to share with the readers?

I would say to anyone who wants to make a living from crafting to give it a go. Research your market, know you customer. Listen to advise from people with experience but trust in what you know. Make what you love. Don't under sell yourself, I think underpricing is a terrible thing, it devalues your own work and the craft movement as a whole. Have pride in your work and strive to keep being original and developing your talents.


I hope you all love her store and pieces just as much as I do! Go over to her shop (here) and make sure to check out everything!

The UK And All It Has To Offer Pt 1

I'm starting with the United Kingdom for my first country to feature here on my blog. (I love the irony of featuring the United Kingdom the day after my own country celebrated their Independence from them!) I visited London, myself, in October of 2008 and fell in love. The architecture, the art, the people, everything. My fascination has only grown since.

Here is a few facts about the U.K. (source: CIA - The World Fact Book)

* What's in a name:
conventional long form: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; note - Great Britain includes England, Scotland, and Wales

conventional short form: United Kingdom

abbreviation: UK

* Location: Western Europe, islands including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea, northwest of France

* Area Comparative: slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Oregon

* Population: 61,284,806

* Languages: English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)

* Government Types: constitutional monarchy and Commonwealth realm




Make sure to stay tuned for more information about the U.K. as well as featured Etsy artists from this country!

Mini Vaca

My husband, Scott, and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary on June 20th. However, my husband had received free passes to the Profusion Video Expo in Toronto, that happened to be the same weekend as our anniversary. I was not about to spend our first anniversary in separate countries, so I tagged along. He spend Friday and Saturday in workshops all day and I spent them in downtown Toronto being a tourist! I thought I'd share a *few* images I have from the weekend! Enjoy!
























A side note: In Oct. '08 my husband and I were able to take a weekend trip to London, England, in June '09 we went to the Domincan Republic for our honeymoon, and then this year we went to Toronto, Canada. We figured we need to find somewhere *cheap* to go next year (we are fresh college grads...ouch.). We are crossing our fingers that our tax refund is just as good, if not better, than this past one. If so, we plan on going to Copenhagen, Demark and take a day trip to Malmo, Sweden!

Anyone been to Denmark or Sweden? Where was your favorite international vacation to? Where would you LOVE to go more than anywhere else in the world?

A Lovely Treasury to Share

I have recently become addicted to making treasuries on Etsy ever since they've made them more available. I especially enjoy making them when I work 4pm-12am on Sunday nights!!!

Check out my most recent one! Please comment and click each image!

Orange 'n' Teal

All Around The World

I am going to start featuring artists from all around the world on my blog. Every month will be a different country and I will feature 8 artists from those respective countries each month!! Being in America, I don't get to travel to many other countries as often as I'd like due to cost of transit and such...Etsy is a great way to still enjoy goods from another country AND support the locals!

July: England
August: Canada
September: Australia
October: Brazil
November: Germany
December: Italy


Do you sell on Etsy and live in one of those countries? Contact me, send me a short paragraph letting me know who you are, what you sell on etsy and why you'd love to be featured. Also, please follow the blog to keep up to date on other random features that may take place as well as possible give aways, etc.

contact me: saranicoledesigns@gmail.com

My Etsy Favorites!

I want to try and feature amazing Etsy artists once a week! Interested in being featured? Feel free to contact me!!!!

Onto some of my favorite Etsy items:

lovemonkey

HeyMiemie

larimeloom

gracehesterdesigns

PaperPosey

MamaBearStamps

Definately check out the other items that these great sellers have in their shop! Interested in seeing what else I like?? Check out my Etsy Favorites!

Oh Canada!

I have decided to add more of my personal life into this blog along with my craft allowing you to get to know me better!!


In two weeks my husband, Scott, and I will be celebrating our 1 year wedding anniversary! Woo hoo! That weekend there is a film/lighting expo in Toronto, ON that we are going to. Well, he is going to and I'm tagging along to be a tourist! I booked a hotel room for us using Priceline's name your own price, got a great deal at $50/night. I called the hotel and found out that we were put in a smoking room and were unable to move us. Not good. I called Priceline and they canceled/refunded our money without hesitation. I then was able to book at another hotel that is 100% smoke free and get us a room with a fridge, micro and free hot breakfast every morning for $59.25/night! Not bad! I'm pretty excited to spend the weekend in Toronto. I hope to check out as many of the museums as I possibly can...being an Art history student, it's a must. I also can't wait to see, study and photograph some amazing architecture!


Anyone been to Toronto? Have any tips?