Getting to know Stella (Crimson Circle Studios) Where are you from? and a little bit about you I was born in Adelaide, South Australia, to Greek immigrant parents. I have a background in Advertising/Graphic design, and currently freelance from a home base. In my spare time I love creating pieces for Crimson Circle Studios. I've had a lifelong passion for the visual arts, and have honed my digital skills through my career as a designer. What items do you carry in your shop? At present I stock note cards, prints, postcards, bookmarks, ACEOs How did you decide on your shop name? I chose the color crimson from my set of colored pencils. Crimson to me represents passion, fire, spirit, energy – all that goes into creating my pieces. I chose the circle as it represents continuity and infinity, as my work is constantly evolving. I chose studios (in plural) because I am a multi-disciplinary artist. One day a graphic designer, the next a visual artist. I can switch from … [Read more...]

  Getting to know Piki (Pikithins) Where are you from? and a little bit about you I'm from New York. I grew up building traps in my parents backyard, hiding under night tables, and drawing Sailor Moon characters in color pencil. Japanese culture made a huge impact on my life when I was young, especially when it came to drawing. It was one of the things that got me into art. Now, I'm more involved in building pieces. Drawing isn't enough to hold the colorful and imaginative world bursting in my brain. What items do you carry in your shop? I work in an array of categories! In my shop is bracelets, dolls, charms, and cards. Sometimes I'll do commissioned illustrations too. How did you decide on your shop name? At first, the name of the shop was going to be called "Thicithins," in reference to how thin the bracelets are. However, I wanted to add a part of my personality in the name. Therefore, Pikithins was born. The shop name is the combination of the words 'picky' … [Read more...]

Getting to Know Sabrina ( RiyahLiDesigns) Where are you from? and a little bit about you: I am a married mother of two preschoolers living in Eden Prairie, MN. I have two persona's at this time which can be very trying! I work during the day as an administrative assistant in health care and nights and weekends I get to have fun and work on my true love; my design business. I have always been an expressive, creative soul and I am at my happiest when I am taping into that. What items do you carry in your shop? I am a very eclectic shop. I know that seems to be Etsy death as everyone says you should stick to one category but I feel it's what's best for me and my creativity so I am going to run with it and hope everyone follows! Right now I carry hair accessories, art, bags & totes, jewelry, pillows, plush toys & sock monkeys....whew! How did you decide on your shop name? I thought about what was most important to me with this business and for me that was to grow … [Read more...]

Getting to know Roxanne (shinedesigns) Where are you from? and a little bit about you I am from Westland, Michigan. I went to college at Michigan State University (go green!) where I received a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology. When I graduated, I left for Ghana to do the Peace Corps where I taught junior high school students science and computers. I miss it there everyday. When I got home I moved to East Lansing and was working as an assistant teacher at a preschool. I am currently pursuing my jewelry and looking into PhD programs in medical anthropology! What items do you carry in your shop? I carry brightly colored fun and bold jewelry pieces. Everything from necklaces to bracelets to earrings. I also make feather key chains that are in really vibrant colors. How did you decide on your shop name? I was talking with some friends about a name for my shop and somebody said something about how wearing the jewelry really makes you shine and so I went with Shine … [Read more...]

  Getting to know Melissa (Youcansparkle) Where are you from? and a little bit about you. I am from Lakewood, CO, which is in the Denver metro area. I've lived here a little over 6 years. I've been a little bit nomadic in my life, so aside from where I currently live, there's not one place that I call home that I'll always go back to. We moved around a lot when I was growing up. I work full time as a therapist for juveniles on probation. I do individual and family therapy. It's a very challenging job, but it can also be very inspiring. I get to work with them at a time when they're really developing their identities, so I aim to have a positive impact on that and instill in them that they have value and strengths, even if no one has told them that before. The idea of my shop is kind of tied to that concept as well. I enjoy all things creative and the expressive arts have always been my outlets. Therefore, I also use those tools a lot therapeutically. I am married to a … [Read more...]

  Getting to know Melissa (milarosedesigns ) Where are you from and a little bit about you? I'm Melissa, and my sister and best friend Laura are I are the creative minds behind mila rose designs. Growing up in Aurora, IL we've always been creative. Whether it was painting murals on our bedroom walls on a whim, or creating fashion out of unusual materials, we were always looking for ways to stand out in a crowd. After going to cosmetology school, I was always going crazy with mine and Laura's hair. Somewhere between pink and purple hair I realized I wanted other people to be able to show off their style without having to color their hair a bright color. That's when we started creating fun hair accessories to let others show off their individuality. Currently I make fabulous headbands, clips, and bobbies, while Laura is working on some amazing hats for the fall season. Our motto is "be pretty" and we strive to make every piece express that. How did you decide on your … [Read more...]

Getting to know Amelia (Vectorcloud) Where are you from? and a little bit about you? My Name is Amelia and I live in Queens, New York. I am a product designer who thoroughly cherish my independence as an “indie” designer and a new mother. When I am not busy creating, I love hanging out with my family and friends, like going out for a picnic, taking my baby and dog to the park, or barbecuing in the backyard with the neighbors. What items do you carry in your shop? Vectorcloud specializes in laser engraved/cut products which range from jewelry to home decors. I use a few different materials, but my favorite is to work with natural material such as wood/bamboo. How did you decide on your shop name? Vector comes from all the vector drawings that I have to create for the laser cutter; Cloud comes from the sky, the boundless space for all creativity :) Do you have anything new you plan on adding to your store? Soon I will be adding bracelets and new earrings, however I am … [Read more...]

Getting to know Maggie (MaggieOverby) As a native of New Orleans, LA and a graduate of New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and LSU school of Architecture I claim Louisiana and all its uniqueness as my home. I lived in New Orleans for 18 years and Baton Rouge for 7 but as an Army wife the last 10 years have involved a lot of moving. I still get back to New Orleans every chance I get, sometimes even for a year at a time if my husband deploys overseas. I am still proud to call it home! I started my career in Architecture but as my first child was born and the first move was on the horizon I knew I needed a change. I had to get creative (a little pun intended.) I wanted to stay at home with my kids but have a little extra money coming in. I started off sewing for the new house(s) and then for other people’s houses, before you know it I’m making pillows, drapes, bedding, slipcovers, whatever is needed. This year I met up with an entrepreneurial mom who allowed me a steady income working … [Read more...]