Please Meet Kristina

Kristina, a fellow artist and member of the network team I belong to, eSMARts, is from Jackson MS. Kristina writes a wonderful blog which I have been following- http://www.washwhendirty.com/index2.html and also has a wonderful etsy shop where she displays her passion of making handbags. Here is an excerpt from her bio which is listed on her etsy shop http://washwhendirty.etsy.com/--- "i write lists and forget them on my desk. i bake. i cook. i read. i ponder. i take walks. i sing to myself. i sip tea. i listen. i notice. i sew. i doodle. i smile. i laugh. i cry. and i don't think artists become. i think they've always been. "

Quite an impressive list, and when I read that, I said to myself "Wow are all artists like this?" because I find that I do the same things and think that "artists have always been!"

Kristina makes and sell grocery bags (think green), totes, and recycled bags (again think green)on her etsy shop, which happens to be a fetish of mine. I love handbags and totes ..............I also love the fact that she is recycling materials to make into new and pretty reusable totes and bags. a few more things that Kristina said which impressed me were her list of "things that fascinate me", such as : adventure. camera. change .french movies. green apple. grass. hill tops. hot tea. Jane Austen. Japan. knitting. new and old friends. new places. rain showers. At least we now know where her inspiration comes from. pretty impressive her thoughts and her work. Please visit her shop to get a look at all her creations. Kristina's shop can be found at http://www.washwhendirty.etsy.com. I am pleased to have gotten to know a little more about her and her thoughts and fascinations.

Etsy to be Featured Locally

Through the Minnesota Etsy street team (teamMN) I've found out that a local TV Station, WCCO, is airing a news story this Friday night on their 10:00 pm news show about Etsy and the Handmade Movement. We are all hoping they mention teamMN, but even if she doesn't this will be great exposure for Etsy and the handmade community in Minnesota. If you are local to Minnesota, make sure you check out the story. You can also watch it on line after it airs at WCCO.com.
We are all looking for ways to promote ourselves in this slow economic times and are very proud that a Television station would be willing to promote Etsy. Even if teamMN is not personally mentioned, the group is now looking for more ways to promote and there are many ideas in the works.
We have a new member who has taken it upon herself to organize craft shows for all those who have not done a show and for those that would like to know about the upcoming shows, who would like to share a booth or those with tents for outdoor shows. We also have another member who is organizing a craft show for ALL teamMN members to hold in a central location featuring teamMN Etsy members. Looking forward to that as we are a large group, and never seem to be able to get together in one spot. What a grand idea this will be so that the people of Minnesota to see that there are many many handmade artists here and also a reminder to "shop locally".
For a listing of the teamMN artists and their etsy shops as well as blogspots and websites please visit http://tinyurl.com/b7ags4. Oh and please buy handmade.
to see my website, please check out www.wilmas-whimseys.com.
As a promotion for the upcoming airing on WCCO, if you buy one pair of ear rings, you can hoose another pair free. Buy two pairs, get two pairs free etc. Just let me know when you order put the words WCCO, or contact me directly at whimsey1947@hotmail.com.

I Have been Featured

Recently I sold a set of beads to a customer, and the day she received them she sent me a Thank You note and mentioned that she was going to write about me in her blog. I was very pleased that Lisa Crone would want to feature me in her blog. Much to my surprise she included her blog address for me to check out. On Friday I received another note from Lisa telling me she had made a bracelet from my beads and gave me her blog link again http://www.abeadaday.blogspot.com/

This is the finished bracelet she made for her friend who was on her way to Costa Rico. She really knows how to bring out the highlights of the colors of the bead that I made, and also she made me very happy that she choose to blog about her creation and mentioning whom she got the Universe Beads from. Lisa is a very talented artist, and has very interesting items on her blog as well as new items she is making daily. If you get a chance please pop over and read her blogs and leave her a comment. Thank you Lisa for "showcasing" my work. Read her blogs here http:/http://www.abeadaday.blogspot.com/. Definitely worth the read.

The Lemonade Award!!!

I hadn't heard of this award, but I am pleased to be nominated for it twice, by Joni of Inspirations In clay http://www.inspirationsinclay.blogspot.com/ , and by Susan Precious Creations by Izzy http://www.preciouscreationsbyizzy.blogspot.com/ Here is what it is all about-

Yipee!!Lemonade Award!!
Susan and Joni have nominated me for the Lemonade Award.Thank you very much, both of you I really appreciate it. You are too kind. The Lemonade Award is awarded to sites that show a positive attitude and gratitude. And I am grateful to be considered a part of that group. Here are the rules for the award:1.Put the logo on your blog or post 2.Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great Gratitude and/or Attitude. 3.Be sure to list and link your nominees within your post. 4.Let them know they have received this award by leaving a comment on their blog. 5.Nominate your favorites and link to your post.

My Choices for the Award:
Jer- ImagesByJer.net
Lisa Crone http://abeadaday.blogspot.com/
Theresa Kwong www.studio618.blogspot.com/
Van http://kickingbear.etsy.com/
Lois http://www.abeadedaffair.blogspot.com/
Karon Adams http://http://www.yellowribbonrosaries.com/
Kelly http://http://sweetieroom.webs.com/
Heather http://http://adagiobeadcrafters.blogspot.com/
Auggie Queen Parker http://auggiequeenparker.blogspot.com/
Joelyn Welch http://www.ardentdesigns.com/

Everyone selected deserves this award!!!!