Unique Expressions

Wow. I cannot believe how hard I am busting my ass to get to work at the hardware store today... I have the a VERY sore throat, I am FREEZING, and I'm just not sure how I'm going to make it through my shift... It's pretty much going to suck...

But you know what doesn't suck? Unique Expressions!

Earrings (A Dainty Compliment)

1) Your shop name:
Unique Expressions

2) Your real name:
Jessica Mattingly, aka jes or jessprkle

3) Your favorite breakfast cereal:
Kashi, Go Lean!

4) When did you begin creating?
For as long as I can remember, I have always been creating something. I had imaginary friends. I created jobs for my stuffed animals to complete while I slept. I believed my life was a movie, then I thought my life was a dream and that I'd wake up an infant still in my crib aware of all my life held. I made refrigerator boxes into houses. I collected cereal boxes, egg crates, and milk cartons and made a little city that I worked on during recess rather than going out and playing with the other kids. I created endless obsessive and compulsive rituals as a child that morphed into my adult life. I created music for a major portion of my life. I created characters on stage after my initial departure from music. Now, I create therapeutic environments during the day and fun stuff at night for my online venues.

5) Got a day job?
I work full-time as a mental health professional on a FACT team. I'll be starting my PsyD studies in clinical psychology this fall at the Adler School of Professional Psychology and will be a full-time doctoral student.

6) Your inspirations:
Human behavior and emotions, nature, my seven siblings, butterflies, rain, my cats, my husband, animal behavior, music, art, and dance.

Barrettes (Teal BLING for Your Hair)

7) Weirdest thing you've ever made:
A birthday breakfast for my husband. I burnt the hell out of the pancakes :( I am definitely no chef.

8) Creation that you are most proud of:
This is a tough one. I guess it would be all the music I made--those sound waves are energy that will never be destroyed; I believe they continue to exist somewhere, and that is a wonderful feeling.

9) Explain your shop name:
My store name, Unique Expressions, sums up each item I create. It is unique, and I intend for it to express something. That 'something' is unique to the buyer.

10) Final thoughts?
My feelings are too big for my body. That's why I create.

Magnets (Promote and Market Yourself)

Please go visit Unique Expressions, and keep checking back for more interviews with amazing Etsy sellers!

The Sea Within

It's been a long day. I know I post this EVERY day, but seriously. I just went to the world's most difficult funeral, and I could use a chance to unwind before the American Idol finals. So, what am I doing? Perusing Etsy, of course. What did I find? The Sea Within!

Animal Crackers Purse

1) Your shop name:
The Sea Within

2) Your real name:
Nadine H.

3) Your favorite breakfast cereal:
Granola and yogurt. Does that count? I don't really like cereal.

4) When did you begin creating?
I can't remember ever not creating something.

5) Got a day job?
I'm learning to be a Guide Dog Trainer, which will eventually turn into a 'real' job for me.

6) Your inspirations:
Nature.

Beehive Purse

7) Weirdest thing you've ever made:
Hmm...I'm sure I made lots of really weird stuff as a kid. I can't think of anything in particular though.

8) Creation that you are most proud of:
My pleated purses because they are the first pattern I made that I really liked. I am incredible in love with a lot of the new fabrics I have been finding, especially my beehive one.

9) Explain your shop name:
I used to be working on a PhD in Zoology because I switched gears to train guide dogs. While in my PhD programme, a friend of mine and I found this old science book at a book sale called 'The Sea Within'. It was all about body fluids (water and solute balence) and had some great figures and hilarious figure captions such as 'disease will shrivel you up like an old apple' and 'excess potassium will result in death' with a skull and cross bones as the figure.

10) Final thoughts?
Etsy is the best! I love it!

Rethinking Pink Purse

Please go visit The Sea Within, and keep checking back for more interviews with amazing Etsy sellers!

Ambient Design

So, things have calmed down considerably since yesterday. I have the day off from work today. I'm going to hang out with some friends. I'm not sure what we'll be doing, but I AM sure of one thing: I am going to HAVE to show them the items in a shop called Ambient Design. GORGEOUS!

Capistrano Necklace

1) Your shop name:
Ambient Design

2) Your real name:
Angela Burke

3) Your favorite breakfast cereal:
I'm not generally a cereal person, but when I need my fiber, I like Kashi GoLean! Crunch with some soy milk and berries.

4) When did you begin creating?
From the age of three. My grandmother taught me how to sew my own doll clothes at that age.

5) Got a day job?
Yes. I'm a high school English teacher. Sometimes it's inspiring, and sometimes it's just plain exhausting.

6) Your inspirations:
Nature, my favorite works of literature, found and vintage objects like old textiles and old books, high fashion, my favorite pieces of music, and the people in my life.

You Are So Deer To Me Card in Leaf Green

7) Weirdest thing you've ever made:
I don't know if I've ever made anything truly bizarre, but I did knit my dog a sweater (sans pattern!) that my husband-to-be is pretty embarrassed by when he walks the dog in cold weather.

8) Creation that you are most proud of:
EVER? It's so hard to choose. I'm quite proud of the sexy off-the-shoulder sweater I knit myself. I'm also designing jewelry for my bridesmaids right now that I think will be quite stunning. In my shop, I'm very proud of my shell dagger earrings. I think they're pretty without being saccharine.

9) Explain your shop name:
My initials are A.M.B. I wanted something that reflected me but wasn't necessarily my name. "Ambient" means to completely surround or envelop something--- I liked the idea of being enveloped by creativity and independent design all the time. That's what I enjoy most about my life.

10) Final thoughts?
I love Etsy and am amazed by so many people's work on the site. I hope it continues to grow as an amazing gateway for artists!

Silver Shell Dagger Earrings

Please go visit Ambient Design, and keep checking back for more interviews with amazing Etsy sellers!

ZAJA Natural Handmade Confections

Hello, everyone!

I am feeling incapable of a normal thought process today. I have had the busiest weekend ever. Most of it was good, but... a great deal of it was not. We're having a major crisis in my family. Most of them could just use a break for a bit. I'm thinking about buying them some of these adorable products from ZAJA Natural Handmade Confections. They could sure use it...

Black Raspberry Vanilla Handmade Soap

1) Your shop name:
ZAJA Natural Handmade Confections

2) Your real name:
Zaidat Bombata

3) Your favorite breakfast cereal
I like Honey Bunches Of Oats, Special K Vanilla and Almonds.

4) When did you begin creating?
I began creating in the early 90s.

5) Got a day job?
Yes, as a Mom ;)

6) Your inspirations:
I am inspired by my family, primarily my children. My success = their success.

Dead Sea Mud Foaming Face and Body Scrub

7) Weirdest thing you've ever made:
Once, I made this weird rice dish that turned out pretty yummy, even though it looked like 3 day old garbage.

8) Creation that you are most proud of:
My babies :)

9) Explain your shop name:
ZAJA is a combination of my name, Zaidat and the first 2 letters of my husband's name. It stands for Zestfully Ambrosial, Joyfully Aromatic.

10) Final thoughts?
Catch ya later!

Skin Rescue 911 (tm) Total Body Kit

Please go visit ZAJA Natural Handmade Confections, and keep checking back for more interviews with amazing Etsy sellers!

Meeting FortCloudy!

Well, I forgot to post it earlier, but I got to meet Sarah of FortCloudy on Thursday. I took some random video footage. Because we are cool like that. Here we go:


Video one of six


Video two of six


Video three of six


Video four of six (WARNING: MATURE LANGUAGE!)


Video five of six


Video six of six (WARNING: MATURE LANGUAGE!)

I hope you enjoy these videos. Yeah. I'm a nerd. I'm silly. Whatever. Sue me. We had fun.

And seriously, I was NOT drunk when I drove home. I just did NOT realize that South Street was a one way street. I was VERY responsible (except for that whole "making a turn without checking to see if it was a one way street" thing...)!

Greenwillow

I have to go to work in about an hour. Rawr. I need something soothing to calm my nerves before I get there and have to deal with all those crazy customers! Maybe looking at some pretty Etsy things would help. Luckily, I've found the right shop for that! Enter, Greenwillow!

Flower Notecards, set of 4

1) Your shop name:
Greenwillow

2) Your real name:
Ann Todd

3) Your favorite breakfast cereal:
Cheerios

4) When did you begin creating?:
I've always loved to create. I began designing and sewing doll clothes as a child.
I've always have loved crafts of any kind--just doing things with my hands. I have always enjoyed making my own cards and creations. I added art photography about 5 years ago.

5) Got a day job?:
I've been retired almost 4 years ago from career in National Retail Advertising for a
newspaper.

6) Your inspirations:
Anything beautiful--including my grandchildren.

Flower Fairy

7) Creation that you are most proud of:
My daughter's wedding dress and her professional acapella singing group 19th century
costume.

8) Explain your shop name:
Greenwillow is the name of a street we built a house on years ago. My husband picked
the street name from a record jacket. My daughter lives there now, and she and I
began a craft business about 5 years ago and named it after that street.

9) Final thoughts?
I create to make myself happy and others happy. I've always loved to create gifts
for others, thinking that when they saw my creations for them, they would feel my
love for them. When anyone actually likes something of mine enough to buy it, I am
still thrilled.

Stitched vine pictures (pair)

Please go visit Greenwillow, and keep checking back for more interviews with amazing Etsy sellers!

Flame Works, LTD

It's been a hectic week with work. I am stressed out to the max. I just accepted a second job on top of Etsy and the hardware store I already work at. Summer classes will be starting soon. All I want is to lie down and have a nap.

...Or maybe a bubble bath...

I just found the most incredible Etsy shop. Flame Works, LTD has everything I could ever need or want for bath time and pretty much every other time of the day. You owe it to yourself to check out this wonderful shop, and with products like these, why wouldn't you?

Silky Foaming Bubble Bath by Flame Works, LTD

I quickly contacted the seller for an interview so I could let all of you know a little bit more. Here's what I found out:

1) Your shop name:
Flame Works, LTD

2) Your real name:
Michelle Saltsman

3) Your favorite breakfast cereal:
Frosted Shredded Wheat

4) When did you begin creating?:
I started creating in 2002. I began making candles and then my creativity took me towards bath and body products.

5) Got a day job?:
My day job is being a full time mother to 2 beautiful boys. They are 8 and 4 1/2.

6) Your inspirations:
I get some of my inspiration from textiles such as marble. Food is a great inspiration since I seem to enjoy that pastime. I like earthy colors so the outdoors always seems to come into play.

Hemp and Jojoba Lip Balm in Chocolate

7) Creation that you are most proud of:
I am most proud of my soaps.

9) Explain your shop name:
My shop name is a combination of the 2 creations I enjoy to make. Candles=Flame and Bath and Body Works=Works. Kind of silly huh?

10) Final thoughts?
Thank you for interviewing me. I love what I do. I am always working on new products and formulations. My friends call me 'the mad scientist'.
I have been married 14 years and have 2 sons. I love warm weather and wish I lived in the south. I like to listen to contemporary country music. Thanks again!

Blue Sugar Vegan Soap

Please go visit Flame Works, LTD, and keep checking back for more interviews with amazing Etsy sellers!

Update on my life

Wow, I can't believe how well things have been going lately.

Etsy's been going great. I found a new way to photograph my items, so I think I'll be doing that from now on. I've made a few sales. I'm making friends on the forums and in the chats. I've been advertising like crazy. My shop is really starting to flourish! So, that's all exciting.

Also, I got offered a third job yesterday (I work in a hardware store and Etsy is my second job). A pediatrician's office that I applied to, like, three months ago called to offer me a job there, so I'm meeting with them tomorrow after I get done at the hardware store. This means that I'll have a little extra disposable income. Awesome.

One last thing: Hey Pretty Cupcake is up and running! Paper Zombie from Etsy contacted me about a month and a half ago to ask me if I'd like to consign with her, and I agreed, and now it's actually happening. So happy! The website is ADORABLE! I'd definitely suggest checking it out if you can. Awesome.

So, that's my brief update about what's been happening in my life. Hopefully sometime this week I'll be starting to post the interviews with the Etsy sellers that I've been in contact with. It should be good. Yay! :)

Interviews!

Ok, for anybody who saw my post here, the questions for the interview are as follows:

1) Your shop name
2) Your real name
3) Your favorite breakfast cereal
4) When did you begin creating?
5) Got a day job?
6) Your inspirations
7) Weirdest thing you've ever made
8) Creation that you are most proud of
9) Explain your shop name
10) Final thoughts?

If you would like to answer them, please copy/paste these questions from the blog and into a convo and send them to me at lessthanthreedesigns!

Thanks! :)

Wow, I haven't updated this dealie since February? This warrants an update, I think.

Let's see... what have I been up to?

Well, for starters, I have a new job. I am a cashier at a hardware store. While this is wonderful, it makes for MUCH less time for Etsy and making new items in general. I am very sad about this, but I honestly just needed a much steadier income that I could count on. Besides, the hardware store isn't half bad. Since it's a small chain store, it's not busy ALL the time. This means I can troll the Etsy forums and I get to talk to my co-workers a lot. Plus, sometimes I have time to fill orders for my Etsy shop and I can ship them out during lunch breaks. Also, I get 20% off, and some of the things that we sell can be used for new items in my shop! All in all, it's probably the best retail job I've ever had. Except that I'm exhausted... But whatever.

As for Etsy and making things in general...

I got a button maker. Now I can make goodies like this:


I kinda like the button maker a lot. I'm currently brainstorming a WHOLE slew of ideas of things to do with it. Also, now I can do promos.

Speaking of promos, I just finished making a whole lot of promos to be sent out with my orders. They are REALLY cute, but VERY time consuming to make. They are little books: they have a green paper cover and some white paper inside. The front has my signature "teeth" on it and says "Less Than Three Designs". The back has information about my Etsy shop and my website on it.

OH! My website! Yes. I launched my website at the beginning of April. It's a lot of fun, but as of right now, it doesn't do too much. I'm redesigning it so that it's more useful/easier to navigate/not so juvenile. We'll see how that goes. I think I'm going to have to buy HTML for Dummies or something... :P

One last thing before I go: my sister and I are planning on doing the Artist's Alley for Otakon, an anime festival in Baltimore. It's in July (the same weekend the new Harry Potter book comes out--I'm going to pre-order mine and pick it up while in Baltimore because I AM that much of a loser). Hopefully we'll be able to get our stuff together by the festival! It should go pretty well. Hopefully. We'll see!

Until next time,
Allison