Meet Phyllis of Personal Treasures and Mufi Jewels

Meet Phyllis Mufson of Personal Treasures: http://personaltreasures.etsy.com, http://personaltreasures.blogspot.com and Mufi Jewels: http://mufi.etsy.com
Is there a little story about how you got that name?

"Personal Treasures says to me that these pieces are intimate and mean something special to the people who buy them. I love hearing from someone that what she bought is a favorite or that she wears it all the time.
Mufi is my nickname. What everyone, including teachers called me growing up. Now I'm only Mufi to my husband and childhood friends."

What are the major influences in your style?

"I had a career as a textile artist before picking up a bead. My background in textiles influences how I design. I'm very concerned with drape and how the jewelry moves with the body. I'm also inspired by the stones, I love stones, and by my customers. In addition to ETSY I sell through trunk shows so I see women interact with the jewelry; talk with them about what interests them, and which designs are particularly flattering to wear."

Phyllis also would like everyone to know that almost all of the work is one of a kind. In a few cases she has limited editions, and an edition of 5 is the largest she has made.

Phyllis mentioned, "They're made carefully with love. If I'm not satisfied with a piece I'll keep making it over until I am." The materials are sterling silver, gold-filled and vermeil, gemstones and pearls. (Some additional materials at the Mufi store.) She is working with outstanding stones for special pieces for the holidays, so please check out both stores.

Both of the photos come from Personal Treasures. I think this charm necklace is to die for. Wow! It just seems like it fits the store title of Personal Treasures. Also I chose these earrings, because they looked perfect for so many occasions, lovely quality, (as everything is in her stores), and would sparkle just the right amount for a holiday party. Here are the descriptions, straight from the shop for each photo.

Turquoise and Coral Charming Necklace

Turquoise and Coral Charming Necklace - Three styles of turquoise, red coral and vermeil charms dangle charmingly on a gold-filled long/short chain. Vermeil and coral stations attach the necklace to the vermeil hook clasp and add interest to the back.

The necklace measures approximately 17 inches including the clasp

Bold Smokey Quartz Earrings

Bold Smokey Quartz Earrings - Beautiful, dark, sparkling, faceted Smokey Quartz nuggets are wrapped with gold-filled wire onto clean, modern arc-shaped ear wires. Lighter than they look, the nuggets are a comfortable weight.

The earrings measure 1 3/4 inches from top of arc to bottom of dangling nugget.

Meet Jodi of Alaska Hot Doggies

Meet Jodi Hughes of Alaska Hot Doggies from Anchorage, Alaska who is also a Etsy Fiber Arts Street Team member.

Jodi said, "By day, I masquerade as Application Analyst for a large corporation. I take conference calls in my jammies and analyze code without even stepping out of the house! But in order to bring some originality into my world, away from the logical rules, I sneak away from the phone and emails to play in marbling goop! It calms my nerves and helps me feel creative. I get to color outside the lines, unlike my day job!

I enjoy marbling the most. This last month, I’ve started moving away from regular clothes and moving towards unconvential textiles and other materials. I’ve been experimenting with wood, plastic & glass which have proved to be challenging. I’ve also started marbling different paper items. I recently marbled business card stock that turned out wonderful and really make my business card standout from most."

I love the way Jodi expresses her love of marbling through so many mediums. Her shop is a delight to view. Lots of gorgeous colors and I'm sure many more to come. The pink purse in the photo really is gorgeous. Below are the descriptions that Jodi wrote about the items featured. It's fun to read her thoughts.

Report Seattle brand sandals - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6670207
"I stumbled on this great pair of Report brand sandals (size 9) but felt they just needed something....sooo...I marbled them! Colored in blue, green and just a little black, these are so fun and I'm so happy with how they turned out. The shoes have been sprayed with a protective coating so all you need to do it put them on & go! Enjoy this one-of-a-kind wearable art!"

Silk Purse - http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6606569
Beautifully made 12.5mm charmeuse bag, lined in silk habotai with a braided silk ball and loop closure. Item measures 4.5" x 6.25" with a 41" strap. Purse was hand dyed bright pink then marbled with blue & purple


Here are other places to find Alaska Hot Doggies/ Jodi
http://www.indiepublic.com/profile/AkHotDoggies
www.myspace.akhotdoggies.com.
http://akhotdoggies.blogspot.com

Meet Gina of ModaDesigns, CheapBoutique and JourneyInJewellery

Meet Gina of multiple shops on etsy...ModaDesigns, CheapBoutique and JourneyInJewellery
Web Address: all of the above with .etsy.com added

Gina gets a great deal of inspiration by seeing the amazing designs put up on Etsy. One just recently solved her quandry for making rings! She sees how others make ear wires so she doesn't have to purchase them, she sees how people have soldered something so it encourages her to learn to solder!

Gina has had her shops almost two years on Etsy and it's her only source of income.

Gina offers the following advice for other etsy shop owners, "Promote, promote, promote! Put your shop addy in your email's Signature file so it follows every email you send. Join interest groups and drop your shop name frequently. I found Etsy through just such an interest group-the woman had her shop name in her signature which followed her posting! Wear your own designs and tell people who compliment you on them that they are for sale! Stay active in the Forums and Chats! Many of my customers come to me from reading my posts in the forums!"

Anything you would like to add?" Research every potential market. If it looks good, try it for a while. If it doesn't produce, drop it. Selling jewellery on Etsy has slowed to a non-existant crawl for me, so I spend my time looking for local outlets! I also sell supplies to support my jewellery shops!"

I've featured two items from Gina's Moda Design shop and included her description too.

Peach Pearl & Sterling Silver Necklace With Coin Pearl REDUCED
"(15.5" NL, 3x4.2mm FWP,11x6mm SS clasp,2mm SS beads, 12x4mm coin FWP)
This necklace has the illusion of being knotted between the pearls and has the ever-popular coin pearl at the center!"

Pink Tourmaline and Sterling Silver Bali Beads Charm-Style Bracelet (bxR)
"Pink Tourmaline Raw Chunks and Tumbled Pebbles Bracelet with Sterling Silver Bali Beads Will Make Your Arm an Art Gallery!
This piece is absolutly stunning, you have to see it to believe it! I took unworked, raw Pink Tourmaline from a private collector's collection from which I've chosen other fine raw stones such as Sapphire and Labradorite, and combined the best ones with sterling silver Bali beads in various shapes, and hand-linked them together to create this work of art!"

Please visit my supplies shop here on Etsy; http://cheapboutique.etsy.com

Meet Valerie of Wanderlust & Pixiedust

Meet Valerie of Wanderlust & Pixiedust on etsy. (http://www.wanderlustNpixiedust.etsy.com)
Valerie told me, " My name is more an expression of me that of what I sell. That's probably mistake number #! in the business world but it feels right to me. I chose "Wanderlust" because of my love and passion for travel, flying and the rest of the big, wide world. "Pixiedust" was chosen because I've never stopped loving fairly tales and other magical tales. It is also a constant reminder to myself to never give up. To continue to dream and to believe in the impossible."

She said major influences in her shop would be the aforementioned travel, vintage and/or antique religious images and her love and obsession with all things old and interesting. She's hoping to offer additional vintage influenced jewelry soon along with a bigger selection of vintage collectibles.

I've added two photos of items offered in her shop, along with their description as Valerie has written it.

Beautiful Silver and Blue Magic Crafting Crown
"I made my first crown and put it on my melon without thinking, every time I went into my crafting room to play. Seemed to work wonders. Hmm...perhaps others might wish for a Magic Crafting Crown of their very own? This first crown I offer for sale, I decided to do in blue & sparkling silver. That silver metal flower like piece in the center is a vintage, Japanese, Christmas, ornament reflector. I found a wonderous stash of these recently at an estate sale and didn't quite know what to do with them. This seemed like the thing to do. I think it came out appearing kind of art nouveau style. You know the lovely image of the art nouveau lady with the bright orange poppies on either side of her head? Well now you can pretend to be your very own vision of loveliness while hanging out in your studio."


Rosary Style Necklace with Vintage Crucifix.
"This is a necklace that I am calling "Rosary" style. I have been hoping to create handmade rosaries but do not have all the necessary parts just yet. The necessary part in this case being a traditonal center. Instead I've used a lovely copper piece. This necklace was created using man made fresh water style pearls in a color that I would best describe as being a beautiful aquamarine. I've used copper for the "Our Father" beads. There are a total of 53 "Ave" beads. Starting off this piece is a vintage crucifix. If you are looking for a unique gift for that special someone, you've come to the right place..."

One other thing, Valerie offers glitter and mica flakes. If you love sparkles the way I do, she has some beautiful colors and a little bit goes so far. You might want to check that out too.

So stop by WanderlustNPixiedust for some vintage, altered art supplies, and andmade jewelry.

Meet Sarah and Carol of Creative Sundries

Meet Sarah and Carol Eshelman of Creative Sundries - http://creativesundries.etsy.com

I asked Sarah to explain how they chose their shop name, and this is what she said, "We were playing around with names, came up with CreativeSundries, and my little hedgehog, Bob, expressed his approval with a little hedgie noise. We've been CreativeSundries ever since!"

Don't you just love a hedgehog choosing your name? Where was he when I was doing it?

They love to make things that are fun, unique, and sometimes silly, as you will seein the items I've featured.


Photos:
Fuse Earrings SS Sterling Silver Ear Wires
These are real fuses!

2A 250V automotive fuses are attached to sterling silver ear wires.
The fuses measure about 1 inch, or 2.5 cm. long.

Ballerina Necklace

La da dee, la da dah

Dancing is so fun.
This necklace features a ballerina in a fancy pink tutu.
A bail is adhered to her headpiece and attached it to a silver-plated ball chain necklace.

The ballerina is about 2 inches (5 cm.) tall. The necklace is approximately 24 inches (60 cm.) long.

Meet Kellie from Mineral Magic

Meet Kellie Peterson of Mineral Magic, www.mineralmagiccosmetics.com and www.mineralmagic.etsy.com.
Kellie is married with one child and lives in Pennsylvania. Kellie has sensitive skin and wanted to make a product for herself that would be soothing.

Kellie tells me that she takes great pride in her makeup line and guarantee 100% satisfaction. Mineral makeup is pure, crushed minerals from the earth, that improves your skin condition. It provides an SPF (sun protection factor) of up to 20, depending on how much you apply. It is an anti-inflamatory for your skin, as well. She mentioned that her makeup does NOT contain bismuth oxychloride, which is kin to arsenic, and is most likely the reason for skin discomfort and bad skin reaction.

Since these minerals are 100% pure, bacteria cannot be supported and there is no expiration date. There is also virtually no allergy risk. It won't clog your pores and is used as a mineral supplement for your skin.

And as a Mom, I like the way it's a family business, too. Kellie said, "I have recently added my nine-year-old son in my store. He is autistic and makes smelly jelly, aroma beads and room spray. I am teaching him business and how to manage his money." Wow, that's great!

I'm featuring two items from her shop and their description.

VEGAN Sale Fall Color Kit Nunber 2 By Mineral Magic Plus BONUSES

Tis the season. It is time to get out your Fall colors!
I've taken the guess work out for you! Vegan makeup.

5 gram jar of Brown
5 gram jar of Burgundy Rose (Shimmer)
5 Gram Jar of Terra Cotta-Matte (no shimmer)
10 gram jar of terra Cotta a warm peachy color

6 Piece brush COMPACT plus a carrying case - made of pony and goat hair
Mini baby buki brush
Instruction magnet
Instruction brochure
BONUS------Hand and body lotion 2 ounces
BONUS------Lip BALM

AND...

Sugar Body Scrub by Mineral Magic Choose Scented or Unscented

You will receive one 2 Ounce jar of sugar scrub. This weighs 3.6 Ounces!
Handmade with love. Just mix and apply once you receive it. Blend together upon opening because sometimes the scrub ingredients might separate a little during shipment.
Sugar, grape seed oil,a vocado oils, glycerine, and scent.

SCENTED SCRUBS ARE:
Almond-very lightly scented.
Almond & Vanilla-light scent.
Anise-just the faintest scent.
Peppermint-barely there hint of mint.
Lemon-just the faintest scent.
Tea Tree & Mint-Very lightly scented.
Vanilla-Light scent
**Unscented-for the person who cannot tolerate fragrance**
I wanted to get you clean and exfoliated, not dunked in a vat of lingering, repelling fragrance.
More scents to come, all barely scented, not perfumed.

Meet Adrienne and Charlotte of Personality Plus Boutique on etsy

Meet Adrienne Nielsen and her mom, Charlotte of Personality Plus Boutique
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5326355

Adrienne told me, "When trying to find a name that wasn't already taken for our main website I kept thinking about the personality our products take on when they are customized. I just went off of this and had to add the boutique part because somebody already had Personality Plus."

They do commercial embroidery and are trying to fill a niche in the embroidery business that seems to be left empty. Commercial embroidery (which means top quality machines...not just a small home machine) tends to do mostly big businesses or team sports. They wanted to do commercial embroidery on personal items. Adrienne said they love finding unique designs for people and they feel like they are meeting people's expectations for uniqueness.

When asked what do they want the customer to know, Adrienne replied, "The quality embroidery of course! We only use top quality products to embroider on, and then we add top quality embroidery...Sometimes on small home machines you will get unraveling thread or fading of colors. you will NOT get that on our work! I also want people to notice how much they can personalize their product. They get to choose the product, choose the color of the product, the image or name and the colors of the image or name! The possibilities are limitless!"

I was impressed. I love having a resource for good quality custom work. And with the holidays coming up, personalizing gifts means so much to the recipient.

Here are two items Daughter of God tote bag and Child of God tote bag from their shop. Both come in many colors and many options for personalization. They make great church bags too. I counted 17 color options and the Hyacinth color was my favorite.

Please stop by their shop.