it's etsy time! + win handmade eggs

Happy Wednesday! Guess what time it is! It's etsy time!

Lately, I've been completely focused on etsy. I decided to open an etsy shop so that I could have a special place to sell my special handmade art bits and charms. I purchased this book: How to Make Money using Etsy by Timothy Adam. I found this book to be quite helpful...there are some really good tips in there.
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But before I could do anything, I had to make some room. So, I donated several boxes of supplies to a local school. Did you know that many of our schools don't have any budget for art supplies? If you've got an overflowing stash, please consider donating some to a local school. I must tell you that it felt so good to give some of my neglected supplies a good home. And I've already received reports that the students are gobbling up and enjoying all of the supplies that I donated. Yay! : )

See those empty shelves in the background? Now, they're clear and ready for etsy!
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Once the shelves were empty and I had studied up on etsy, it was time to make some items to sell. Etsyians say to build a shop around doing what you love. So, I started painting and collaging backgrounds onto wood. I LOVE making backgrounds...they're so fun and playful and there's nothing like getting my fingers covered in paint.

These little eggs came first. Want to know how I made them? Check out my fun Faux Speckled Egg Background tutorial on Gingersnap Creations. You can also see how I set up my art space for this tutorial.
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I collaged and painted wood panels for days while watching Downton Abbey AGAIN! lol.
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My dear hubby has been cutting up my wood panels into these adorable art bits and charms for my etsy shop. Aren't they soooo cool?! I'm working on taking photos and posting them over the next few days. Everything takes a lot longer than I expected...but that's okay, I'm learning tons along the way.

Lots more to come along with a few surprises. : )

At the moment, I have some of my lovely, one-of-a-kind eggs for sale. Snap 'em up while you can. 

Do you have an etsy shop? Or is there an etsy shop that you adore? Post a comment with your etsy shop name or a favorite etsy shop. One of my kitties will randomly pick a winner that will win a DOZEN of my hand painted and hand collaged eggs! Woohoo!

See you next week with more fun and creativity! : )

Comments

[Jobiska]

I don't really have *a* favorite, but I have the most pieces from flyingwomandesigns, though I got them from her before she opened her etsy shop!

[Christine Baker]

I have had an etsy site for a few years now its http://www.etsy.com/shop/kiwichris welcome to etsy you should do well on there, I love your ideas and work hugs from chris in oz australia

[Lelainia]

Congratulations Helga! I've favourited your shop. Did you order that book via Amazon or find it in a local book store? It looks interesting.

My shop is here: http://www.etsy.com/people/tatterededge?ref=si_pr

Right now it has some of my handmade postcards, made from my photographs and my zines.

[Rachel Fox]

Very happy that you opened an etsy shop! I love all of your work.

I opened an etsy shop recently also, here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/theclaygeek

I like looking at treasury lists on etsy for new shops to favorite.

[Michelle Mach]

I favorited some of your eggs in your shop. Etsy is fun, but can be quite addicting!

My Etsy shop is: http://michellemach.etsy.com/ I sell mostly word- and book-inspired jewelry. I can definitely see using something like your little house in my work.

[Helen Campbell]

I love your eggs! Isn't it wonderful to have a husband to do magic things for us? Congrats on the etsy shop; you're now one of my "favorites".
I started my etsy shop this past summer at http://www.etsy.com/shop/naturegirl22. Oh, by the way, thanks for the heads up on the book. :)

[Linda Richards]

I've had an Etsy shop since 2007. It's such a great opportunity for artisans to show the world their work!
My shop: www.lrichardsdeign.etsy.com

Best of luck with your shop!

[Becky Kilpatrick]

I've never been to Etsy, but you can bet I'll start now...!

[joy]

Gonna add your shop to my faves! My Etsy is PaperPetite.etsy.com

[Wendy]

I have an Etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/WendyLynn. They make it easy to set up a shop and list new items. I love it! You will do great with your items. I love the articles you have done for Gingersnap Creations! Helga, you are an inspiration to me and others!

[Linda K]

I really don't know much about Etsy-heck,I'm still working on figuring out having a blog :) Congrats to you for forging ahead-and to your hubby for his wonderful wood works!! Love your eggs!

[Lisa Shaddox]

Your eggs are so cute! Etsy's fun. Best of luck! My shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/girlmakesgoods

[Janet B]

I have too many fav etsy shops--I guess I like nodeform the best.That's where I got my engagement ring.

[Gena]

love the eggs, what did you do around the edge to make them look shaded? You have to check out this shop, it is SO COOL!http://www.etsy.com/shop/porkchopshow

[Danee]

I have an etsy shop…www.etsy.com/daneelynn. I ADORE your sweet little houses and gears. Love the eggs. as always you make art look easy and effortless0 something it definitely isn't.

[Laure Janus]

My etsy shop is Little Joys Studio (http://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleJoysStudio) and I've been actively selling now for about 2 years. It's such a kick when someone finds you and buys your work! Good luck with your new adventure and thanks for the chance to win your speckled eggs...love them. BTW - I agree with Gena; The Porkchop Show has great items and they always ship quickly.

[Sid]

How very generous of you I am sure your donation was very gratefully received. I have an Etsy shop.......with nothing in it at the moment ! Can't seem to get enough time to make things to put in it. You will love having one and hope it is a success. The book looks good too !

[Kath Hobson]

So cool that you have an etsy shop now Helga, my current favourite belongs to Sugar Lump Studios, which can be founf here:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sugarlumpstudios,
Now I'm off to add you to my list :)

[Marilyn B. Hughes]

Wishing you tons and tons of luck with your Etsy shop!

My Mom and I have five Etsy shops between us. On the first we just sell books and albums (www.BookandAlbumCorner.etsy.com), on the next we sell vintage items and antiques that might be called "junktique" (www.MSEsoteria.etsy.com), on another we sell the better antique and vintage finds (www.GhostlyTreasures.etsy.com), on the fourth we sell Victorian scrap and 7 Gysies (www.TheCreativeCloset.etsy.com), and on the fifth (which is mine) I currently sell stuff I'm trying to clear out of my studio & mailing tags (www.TarnishedRose.etsy.com).

One day I hope to sell my handmade items in my store. I just haven't had time yet and this weekend my studio is headed for a major purge/overhaul/reorganization!

Smiles~
Marilyn

[Margaret Field]

Im soooooo in love with the eggs. xx

[Peggy Lee]

Congrats to opening up your shop and living your dream...I love to shop on Etsy I don't have just one fav....to be honest I have been reading up and dreaming of opening a shop on Etsy. Been reading and making a dream plan...congrats on jumping into it and doing what you love.

hugs, Peggy Lee

[Laura K. Aiken]

Helga

I can't wait to see what you will bring to your shop! This will be fun. Good luck!!

laura.

ps. I love my Etsy shop! You will love yours too.

[heather glenn]

Helga, best of luck with your etsy store! My fav etsy site is max and bella. Your eggs are sweet (and so is your hubby!)

[jennifer willis]

I don't have a favorite shop, have looked around some but don't really spend much time there. Maybe your's will be my first - going to check it out now! Love those eggs!

[Kristin Townsend]

I don't have one fave shop but I love the things you will be selling. One of the links on the comments led me to a jewlry site, that has some cute and afordable stuff! Thanks, I am going to open a site at some point, just not there yet!