For more information on any of these lovely items, simply click on the photo to be taken to the relevant Etsy shop.
Treasury tool supported by the dog house
Next up in my Etsy Love series is Kacie from A Flash of Nature, a nature photographer who sells prints and gadget cases featuring her stunning images. I’ve always been a fan of nature and Kacie’s photographs capture the vivid colours and natural patterns which sum up my passion perfectly!
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and where the inspiration came from to start your Etsy shop.
Nature photography has provided me the opportunity to blend my two passions as a Biology Major who also happens to love art. I came across Etsy in 2009 as a shopper and fell in love with the sheer volume and variety of hand-crafted items available. About a year later, I was looking through all of my photos and realized that I had a number of unique shots. For the next two years, I pondered the idea of opening up an Etsy shop until finally this past summer I took the plunge. Since opening my shop, I have added two lines of functional art depicting my photography including iPhone cases and neoprene iPad sleeves.
2. Do you have a favourite piece? Tell us about the thought process involved in creating it and why it is your favourite.
I actually have several favorite pieces, but probably the photo I am most proud of is my “Hummingbird Flight” photo; it is part of a 17 piece collection. One of the things I really enjoy doing during the summer is sitting at my hummingbird feeder and watching these amazing creatures do their aerobatic acts. I had always wanted to photograph a hummingbird in flight so that I could share with my family and the world what beauty lies in their own backyard. Capturing a flying hummingbird on camera however is not easy. Hummingbirds are jumpy and fast, they beat their wings 70 times per second. So, in order to get the perfect photo I had to not only gain the bird’s trust, but also be quick to take the shot. It took me two summers, but eventually I captured a female on high-speed.
3. What is it that makes your shop unique?
My shop is unique in a few ways. As I mentioned above, I like to get close to my subjects. I’d say at least 50% of my pictures are macro photography. Often times, when you see wildlife photos for sale, they are taken using a fancy camera with a zoom lens. With my photos, if it looks like the animals are close, it’s because they are. My photos are also unique in that they are realistically vivid and color saturated. These pops of color make them ideal for functional art. Not everyone has a place in their home to hang another photo, but just about everyone has a cell phone and a computer; which is why I started offering iPad/iPhone cases this past fall. It enables my customers to take their art with them wherever they go!
4. What’s next in the pipeline?
I hope to keep adding to my photo collection and hopefully expand my functional art line. I will also be having at Valentine’s Day sale from January 23rd- February 14th. All items are 10% off with coupon code MDVD13.
5. Tell us something about you or your shop that you haven’t previously shared!
I do custom orders as well, so if you see a photo you like but need it in a different size or if you wish a photo were offered in another form of functional art such as a laptop bag, coffee mug, or note card, let me know!
6. And finally, let us know where we can find you.
Etsy Store: www.etsy.com/shop/AFlashOfNature
Wanelo: wanelo.com/aflashofnature
Tumblr: www.tumblr.com/blog/aflashofnature
Thanks Kacie, you have a wonderful eye for detail and have captured some beautiful shots! Don’t forget to visit A Flash of Nature and use Coupon Code MDVD13 for 10% off – offer ends 14th February!
A selection of yummy fruity delights to make your mouth water! Simply click on an image to be taken to the relevant Etsy shop for full details. Enjoy!
 Sweet Lemon Cream Soap Handm… $5.75
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 Green Flower Photography Lem… $25.00
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 Frosted Turquoise Lime Strip… $15.00
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 Wedding Cake Topper, Crochet… $10.00
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 Burning orange OOAK- Merino/… $18.50
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 Hand painted heels – Lemon a… $66.00
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 Unique lime bracelet, Abstra… $30.95
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 Button Bracelet, Tangerine, … $9.50
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 Buttons in LEMON SHERBET x 1… $7.00
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 Lemons Signed Print Small $19.00
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 Orange Seahorse portrait, Or… $40.00
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 ACEO lemon and lime for a co… $10.00
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 Orange summer versatile neck… $16.00
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 Kitchen Art – Orange Lemon &… $40.00
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 Fuschia/Lemon – Dual Coated … $3.65
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 Lemon felt coaster set $12.00
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I hope you enjoy my selection of pastel delights which all make me want to pack up and expore the warmer climes of mainland Europe! Click on a picture to be taken to the relevant Etsy shop for full details.
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We are coming towards the end of my Etsy Love series and today we meet Mallory from Mayhem Here who sells original art and prints. I love Mallory’s artwork! The intricate linear designs coupled with the vibrant, fresh colours is a winning combination and creates a very definite style – meaning that Mallory’s work is easily recognisable (something which I bet every artist strives to achieve!)
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and where the inspiration came from to start your Etsy shop.
I’ve been painting ever since I was a kid, but never really thought of doing it as anything more than a hobby. As I filled up the walls of my home with my own art, I had so many of my friends and family asking for their own that I decided I might as well go for it and see where it takes me. Three years later and tons of empty paint tubes and I’m here, working for myself and loving every minute of it. I get to stay home with my son and create fun, colorful paintings that I love.
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 really hard to pick a single piece but my favorite to date would have to be my Deer painting. It is bright and Large (30 x 40″) and is hanging above my bed for me to enjoy everyday. I don’t know if I could even come to sell it one day.
3. What is the biggest milestone you have achieved so far whilst selling on Etsy?
Well I did just reach 50 sales! That felt good, I think it’s logging on everyday and seeing that little blue bubble on my activity lit up. The fact that so many people are liking my work makes me smile.
4. What are your future plans for your shop and crafting in general?
I’d like to incorporate more items featuring my art, magnets and such. I’d hope to someday also get on that front page!
5. And finally let us know where we can find you. 
Etsy Shop: http://www.Mayhemhere.etsy.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook/M2studios
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mallorymikeart
Thanks for sharing with us Mallory. I think it’s wonderful that you have become successful enough to paint for a living which also allows you to spend precious, quality time at home with your family. I think that this is a dream for a lot of people (I know I would love to craft full time!) and the hard work and creativity has clearly been very rewarding for you. I wish you all the success with your art and will be keeping an eye on your shop for your latest creations!
Next up in my Etsy Love series is Višnja from TA-DA! Studio (what a fabulous name!) who sells handcrafted, illustrated jewellery. I just love the intricacy of Višnja’s illustrations, and what a wonderful way of showcasing her beautiful talent by turning it into wearable art!
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and where the inspiration came from to start your Etsy shop.
My name is Višnja Mihatov Barić, I’m a 28 year old artist living in Zagreb, Croatia, but I was born in the most beautiful city in the Adriatic coast, Zadar. I work as a graphic designer and illustrator and a couple of months ago I started making illustrated jewelry. I’ve graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts because I always wanted to become an artist, it was my dream come true. I was fortunate to be surrounded by my creative family, the are my biggest support and it means so much to me, especially for my work. I spend a lot of time on sketching, drawing, making things, and Etsy is a great place where I can show my art!
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 say which of my items is my favourite, I really love them all because I put a lot of effort and work into each one of them. Every single part of creating one item is my favourite, first I make sketches, then I play with various shapes of polymer clay and in my head I have a vision of what drawing would go perfect with each shape.
3. What is the biggest milestone you have achieved so far whilst selling on Etsy?
The biggest milestone? Don’t know, I think I’m on the right path with my Etsy shop! Hope I will continue with making my jewelry this way, soon there will be lots of different items in my shop, like bracelets and necklaces..My biggest goal is not selling, just making jewelry with my own hands, hopefully more and more people will like what I do!
4. What are your future plans for your shop and crafting in general?
I’m taking one step at the time, I’m not rushing into something that I feel won’t work in the future. I’m still learning everything about Etsy and finding the best way to promote my work, it takes time and lot of patience. The only thing I wish the most, is to become my own boss and work full time creating jewelry!
5. And finally let us know where we can find you.
Etsy Shop: http://www.tadastudio.etsy.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/TA-DAhandmade-jewelry/
Tumbler: http://tadastudio.tumblr.com/
Twitter: http://tada_studio.twitter.com/
Thanks for sharing your beautiful, unique jewellery with us Višnja! It’s always refreshing to discover something a bit different and I love the fact that each of your pieces has its own story. I hope you accomplish your dream of being able to create jewellery full time – I know I sometimes wish I could craft all day too!
Next up in my Etsy Love series is Lisa from Nouveau-Tique who sells jewellery, art, wedding cake toppers, business card holders and more. If you have been following my blog you will know that I love nature and especially trees so I really enjoyed browsing Lisa’s shop and particularly adore the wire tree sculptures. These sculptures are so versatile and can be used as ornaments, cake toppers or business card holders. Lisa also has a varied collection of other delights which are all presented beautifully and it is clear that care and attention goes into every piece.
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and where the inspiration came from to start your Etsy shop.
My name is Lisa and I’m originally from NY and now live in LA. I love creating jewelry and art. I have been drawing, painting and making things since I was little. I’ve made many pieces for myself and as gifts for friends and family, and I got such an amazing response that I wanted to start an online shop to reach more people – and now I have my own little shop on Etsy 🙂
I love shopping (a little too much LOL) and the idea behind Nouveau-Tique lets me combine my love of shopping with my love of creating. All of my pieces are made using jewelry and supplies, like tapestry fabric and vintage brooches, that I find in antique/resale/thrift shops and estate sales. Everything is deconstructed and the different bits and pieces are used to design and create new items with a modern-vintage feel to them. I love the idea of taking things that were once treasured but now are unwanted or broken – and creating brand new pieces out of them.
2. Do you have a favourite piece? Tell us about the thought process involved in creating it and why it is your favourite.
It is hard to pick a favorite piece because everything I make is special to me. I think my favorite piece is something that is not currently in my shop. A friend brought me a broken necklace that had belonged to her grandmother and was very special to her. She had the beads in a bag for a long time and did not want to throw them away. From the beads of that necklace I created two different sets of earrings and bracelets – one set for her and one for her mother. She got tears in her eyes when I gave her the sets, not expecting two, and both she and her mother were so happy that they could now wear these and be reminded of the woman who meant so much to both of them.
3. What is the biggest milestone you have achieved so far whilst selling on Etsy?
Every sale and every happy customer is a milestone in itself for me. My one year Etsy-versary will be April 2012, so that will be quite a milestone as well.
4. What are your future plans for your shop and crafting in general?
I am currently in the process of creating a line of bridal hair vines made with crystals/pearls/vintage beads. I am so excited to be able to show them off soon!
5. And finally let us know where we can find you.
Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/NouveauTique
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/NouveauTique
Thanks for sharing with us Lisa, especially the beautiful story about recreating memorable jewellery for your friend and her mother – it must have meant so much to them.
You have established yourself very well on Etsy considering you haven’t even reached your first Etsy-versary yet! It is clear that a lot of hard work has gone into creating your shop and making a name for yourself. I look forward to seeing your new range soon and wish you lots of success!
Today I am continuing my Etsy Love series with Patricia from Gabriella’s Treasures who sells vintage clothing, art and collectibles. Patricia goes hunting for vintage finds with her granddaughter, Gabriella, and it is clear that they both have a great eye!
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and where the inspiration came from to start your Etsy shop.
I’ve always loved Vintage passionately. My granddaughter, Gabriella, is my inspiration for my shop and my shop name. I know I am a very eclectic and creative person, and try to bring that to my shop. I am 64 years young, but by my personality etc. I am sooo not 64!
2. Do you have a favourite piece? Tell us how you found it and why it is your favourite.
Favorite piece, wow, I love them all. I honestly can’t say, as my nature is eclectic, I don’t even have a favorite color, I like all color!
3. What is the biggest milestone you have achieved so far whilst selling on Etsy?
My milestone for my shop is just jumping the hurdles teaching myself the computer, how to copy-paste-, learn SEO, it is a whole other world for me, but I am loving it, and I always wanting to learn. Personal life hurdles – you don’t want to know (LOL), suffice it to say I am an excellent hurdler.
4. What are your future plans for your business?
I have always wanted to do something like this; couldn’t afford to open a real shop; did arts and crafts shows years ago (handmade), had to work a real job and raise 3 (wonderful) children, get through life and illness and all that encompasses our lives, put myself on the back burner because I had to. It is now time for me to do something for me, and Gabriella and I are doing this; I want success, I do want to make money for my future and Gabriella’s also. I want to fulfill myself and my dreams I’ve been holding onto for so long.
5. And finally let us know where we can find you.
You can find me here:
Etsy Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/GabriellasTreasures
Patricia still has roughly 200 more items to add to her shop so be sure to bookmark her site and check back often for new delights.
Thanks for answering my questions Patricia. I think it’s great that you share your passion for vintage with your granddaughter and I get the loveliest image of you both hunting for treasure together – I wish you both lots of success in your adventures!
EmmaDickieDesign 