‘Get the Barbie on!’ by The Candy Tree
I love any excuse for a barbeque!
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Archive | June, 2013
Thursday Feature – Studio 5T2
27 Jun
Today I am chatting to Candy from Studio 5T2, who offers a variety of handmade accessories and knitwear. Candy’s shop is wonderfully presented with striking photography, which really brings her bejewelled goodies to life!
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and where the inspiration came from to start your Etsy shop.
We are a team of three people and found out about Etsy from a small space in the Cosmopolitan magazine. They advertise that if we have any talent for crafting, sites like Etsy can help us turn our hobby into a small income opportunity. Since I already knit for charity (knitting caps for children, blankets for the Salvation Army, chemo caps for cancer patients), I figured that it would be a good way to earn a little on the side to help those in need.
2. Do you have a favourite piece? Tell us about the thought process involved in creating it and why it is your favourite.
Our favorite piece and most rewarding so far has to be our dangle sparkle earrings in the form of a tear drop. Probably because we all work in the healthcare system and we encounter so many life changing events that we see how a tear can touch people differently. Parents teared up to their newborn, loved ones being mourned for their loss, tears from acute and chronic pain, tears from frustration due to bad news, tears of joy when cancer is a sore loser.
So as you can see, I end up seeing that shape as a form of opportunity. Starting that piece was also a healing process since I had to grieve over my loss of a parent. So, the final product is very personal to me and yes, we decided to put it on sale (with the rest of our jewelry creations) to complete my healing process and letting it go.
3. What is it that makes your shop unique?
From the critics we have read so far, our shop can be quite confusing for a regular shopper: knitting products with fashion jewelry! But, that is so us! Life should be all roses and diamonds, unfortunately, it ain’t for some. Plenty of wealthy people do charity work in different forms. So, why can’t we have both! We love the glam and we also love doing some good for those in need.
Charity support goes mainly to three foundations that we have supported for a long time: St-Jude Hospital, Breast Cancer and the National Kidney Foundation in California. Each year, we also try to sponsor a few random participants for the AIDS walk. Some of our knit items that have not sold or sample pieces are sent to the Salvation Army for better use.
4. What’s next in the pipeline?
Our next project goal is to expand the tech accessories (iPhone 4/4S is so 2012!), we are in the process of crafting other 3D molds for iPhone 5 and iPad mini cases. We are also looking into having more jewelry pieces added soon. And, a website is under construction. That will be a good way to let the world see “what’s next” and also a more intimate side of us.
5. And finally, let us know where we can find you.
Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Studio5T2
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Studio5T2
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CandyLau
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/Studio5T2
Thank you for sharing your wonderful shop with us, Candy! Not only are you crafting beautiful products, you are helping so many people in the process – it must be so rewarding!
The Week Ahead – Cross Stitch Madness!
24 Jun
I’ve finally prepared my series of cross stitched Christmas cards and I’ve been listing them in my Etsy shop. Yep, I know it’s June but these cards are hand stitched to order so I might as well have them ready for the super organised amongst you!
Some feature single toned threads whilst others use hand dyed variegated threads which add another element to these designs.
I looked at Fair Isle for my inspiration and these patterns have been adapted from photos of traditional knitted sweaters I found online. I think there is something sweet about the simplicity of these designs and they are perfect for giving to friends or family.
If you would like to order a pattern in a specific colour which isn’t listed, just give me a shout – I absolutely love custom stitching 🙂
This week I will be sticking with my cross stitch, but working on more tartan earring designs. Keep you eyes peeled for these little works of art coming soon!
Friday Finds – Celebrating the Sunshine!
21 Jun
‘Celebrating the Sunshine’ by The Candy Tree
This week’s finds are all in celebration of this wonderful sunshine – enjoy!
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Thursday Feature – Ashley Partica Design
20 Jun
Steaming ahead into another Thursday Feature, we get to know Ashley from Ashley Partica Design, an Etsy shop full of one of a kind wire wrapped jewellery. I just love the swirling patterns and organic shapes featured in Ashley’s designs – her work is wonderfully unique and beautiful!
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and where the inspiration came from to start your Etsy shop.
My name is Ashley, I have a background in Art and Design. I got my start doing graphic design work but I have a love of so many art fields. When I got married I DIY’d 90%, I made the personalized wire hangers for all of my bridesmaids and everyone loved them. I made a few that I sold locally to friends and family. Fast forward to the fall when I had my son, I decided to stay home with him and not go back to work & I love it so much, being a mom is amazing and he is the light of my life. But being home all the time I started getting crafty, I had a ton of scrap wire from when I made the personalized hangers and I didn’t know what to do with it. Until it dawned on me that I could make really unique funky rings with it. So started my jewelry. I came up with some cool designs that people really liked, plus they are almost all adjustable, without looking like a cheap adjustable ring. From there I just delved right in, I started wire wrapping stones and beach glass that I’ve collected. I love working with natural stones! It grew and grew and so I decided to open an Etsy shop! Its been a wonderful experience & I am loving every minute of it!
2. Do you have a favourite piece? Tell us about the thought process involved in creating it and why it is your favourite.
It’s hard to have a favorite, because I really try to create organically and just let things happen as they will. I throw myself into each piece so they’ve all been my favorite.
3. What is it that makes your shop unique?
I truly strive to make jewelry that is different and certainly not run of the mill. I like things to tell a story or start a conversation, make an impact. I work with natural elements because I think that the natural world has so much beauty to offer. Each piece is handcrafted and therefore nothing is exactly the same, every piece of jewelry I create is unique, everyone receives a one of a kind creation.
4. What’s next in the pipeline?
I’m just trying to keep adding inventory. I am constantly looking for new materials and expanding. I am going to start working on original packaging and creating more of a “brand” ….it’s the graphic designer in me.
5. Tell us something about you or your shop that you haven’t previously shared!
I really love sending my jewelry off into the world. When I package something up to ship it, I always look where it’s going and smile because something I created is being worn and enjoyed all over the country. It is an awesome feeling.
6. And finally, let us know where we can find you.
Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/AshleyParticaDesign
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Ashley-Partica-Design/120444268040341
Twitter: twitter.com/AParticaDesign
Pinterest: pinterest.com/jarringimpact/
Thank you for sharing your shop with us, Ashley! I’ve enjoyed sharing all of the shops in my Thursday Features, however there is something truly special about your designs. I especially love that they are each one of a kind.
The Week Ahead – Lightbulb Moment
17 Jun
Avid readers of The Candy Tree blog will know that I’ve been humming and hawing about changing my shop name so as to create a more unique brand [https://thecandytree125.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/whats-in-a-name/]
I just couldn’t decide whether or not it was a good idea, and the longer I left it, the more difficult it was becoming to take the plunge! So…I’ve come up with an idea, which in hindsight I should’ve really thought of before!
I’ve opened up a shop on Folksy with my new name…(drum roll please) Emma Dickie Design!
So my task for this week is to fill up my new shop with goodies and work on promoting my new brand. If it takes off then I will eventually change the name on Etsy and social media.
I had started to create new Twitter and Facebook accounts for my new name, however I’m going to instead update my existing account names when I’m ready. I’m not sure what I was thinking…there’s no sense in starting from scratch when I can easily just update the names and explain to existing followers about the change!
Wish me luck!
Friday Finds – Let’s Go for a Picnic!
14 Jun
‘Let’s Go for a Picnic!’ by The Candy Tree
What better way to spend the summer afternoons than to go on a little picnic?
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Thursday Feature – A Beaded Story
13 Jun
Today I am getting to know Candace from A Beaded Story – an Etsy shop focused on creating inspirational poem bracelets for special gifts. Candace offers peace and comfort with her beaded bracelets and has a wide variety tp choose from for all occasions.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and where the inspiration came from to start your Etsy shop.
I have been doing crafts for as long as I can remember. My earliest memories are of Mom and I at the kitchen table making shrinky dinks. I have dabbled in almost every craft out there over the years. Those times spent crafting with Mom are very dear to me and formed a special bond between us.
In 2012 without notice my place of employment shut down along with some other bumps in the road. I took these as signs to do something that would make me happy in life. In the past I had owned a ceramic business and mural business and really enjoyed creating for people. This time I wanted to do something different maybe online sales so not to have storefront costs.
I had been doing the Life of Christ bracelets for a few years for friends and family and they seemed to enjoy them so much I thought I would expand on that. I searched or wrote poems for a few bracelets and started beading the words. In the mean time a friend suggested Etsy. I looked into the site and was impressed with the ease and low cost of starting. It was just what I was looking for so I signed right up! I did get cold feet and sat on the idea for a few months while still looking for a traditional job. At night I would make the bracelets to pass the time and once my craft table started overflowing with bracelets I knew it was time to take the plunge and get serious, and so A Beaded Story was born. In June of 2012 I opened my business and have never looked back. I enjoy the freedom it gives me and all the wonderful customers I get to work with. I now make 22 different poem bracelets in my line. You will find Family, Bridal, Cancer, Faith, Military and much more in my shop.
2. Do you have a favourite piece? Tell us about the thought process involved in creating it and why it is your favourite.
My favorite piece is my memorial bracelet. It is to remind the wearer that their loved one is always near to them. I enjoy making them because I know each one is giving comfort to those with a broken heart of loss of a loved one. Losing my own mother not to long ago I know that pain.
3. What is it that makes your shop unique?
My poem bracelets are not only a beautiful piece of jewelry but each one holds special meaning. I take a poem, pick out the significant words and put it to color. Each bead has a meaning in relation to the poem which makes it a special present to give. Each bracelet comes with a poem that outlines the meaning of the beads.
4. What’s next in the pipeline?
I’m working on an Aunt and Grandmother one. I’m always open for suggestions on new bracelets. Many of my best sellers come from suggestions from customers.
5. Tell us something about you or your shop that you haven’t previously shared!
I really enjoy making custom orders for people. Over Christmas I had a customer contact me asking if I could use a special poem she wrote to her Sister in Law. She sent me a family heirloom cameo to be included in the design. I thought this was such a special gift for her Sister in Law and enjoyed making this bracelet for her.
6. And finally, let us know where we can find you.
Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ABeadedStory
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ABeadedStory
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/abeadedstory/
Email: Abeadedstory@hotmail.com
Candace has also kindly created a coupon code exclusively for The Candy Tree readers! Use Coupon Code THANKS at checkout for 10% off your purchase.
Thank your for sharing your shop with us, Candace. I love that you have taken an original idea and used it to create not only a beautiful piece of jewellery, but a meaningful gift as well.
EmmaDickieDesign 