Etsy Team Meetup - Crochet Workshop

In my recent roundup of the Etsy Craft Party I mentioned that more meetups would soon be scheduled. I am now pleased to announce that another Etsy meetup will be held in the Eagle Soup Studio on Friday 8 July. The wonderful Julia Matthews, Craft Editor at Better Homes and Gardens Magazine will be leading a workshop on crochet. We will be learning how to make a basic granny square which can be used to create an assortment of cosy winter projects. If you're already a pro at crochet, bring along a project you're working on and share your skills with others. Or, if you'd rather bring something entirely different to work on, please do!

WORKSHOP DETAILS
Date and time: Friday 8 July from 6:30pm
Address: Eagle Soup Studio - Level 2, 140 Cleveland Street Chippendale.
Here's a map.
To bring: A ball of yarn and a crochet hook that corresponds to your yarn (check the label - if in doubt go up a size, not down).
Entry: $2 donation on the door to contribute towards tea and snacks
RSVP: kitpalaskas@gmail.com

Contact me on 0406 330 637 if you have any questions. I hope to see you there, it'll be so much fun.

Kit x

Image Source: Sarah London Textiles

An Interview With Geritom71

Welcome to the third in my series of Sydney Etsy Team member interviews. Today I'm featuring the lovely Geritom71 who makes the most adorable cards and notebooks! 

Who are you?

My name is Kathryn - I have been told I am a good listener, reliable, judgemental, moody, funny, sarcastic, demanding, easy going, crazy, well balanced and secretive. All are true.

What do you do?

By day I sit at my desk cutting paper, by night in bed, electric blanket on with my trusty stable table!

I love paper, everything about it so I am willing to give just about any paper craft a go except origami, I can't do it and trying makes me angry!

What is your background in making?

I studied Fine Art at the National Art School for 3 years and majored in Photography, I also did a further 3 years at Sydney College of the Arts, also in Photomedia. Somehow by the end of my SCA years I had moved more towards writing and all of my photographic work now is based around text and books. I still work with my photography but through making my artists books and working in the art store I discovered a whole crazy world of paper.

Who or what inspires you?

My books, I have about 4000 of them and yes I rent, so moving is a little back breaking. I have an amazing home library.

My flatmate of 17 years, who is a multi-media artist and a freakish computer brainiac, he is great at reading manuals and then demonstrating how to use things. Oh he also cooks I haven't cooked a meal in 17 years, unless I am home alone and even then he has left a suggestion (occasionally even a prepared meal). That sounds lazy, but trust me, he is an amazing cook.

My Nan, she passed away when I was 12 but I spent all of my time with her making craft, sewing, playing with her huge basket of buttons, making collages out of her box of old cards and drawing on A2 pieces of paper she would sneak from my uncles room. If we weren't making craft we were playing Canasta.

Chance - at the moment I am busy making books and cards using vintage childrens book illustrations. I found a giant pile of books in the corner of a country charity store and found out they were being thrown away because they were too damaged to sell so I of course took them all, I mean honestly who throws away books! But I had absolutely no idea what I was going to do with them all. Then I discovered another etsy seller JamboChameleon and bought some of her paper punches and have been punching out circles ever since. I still buy her punches, and just bought some of her buttons from I Heart Gallery in Newtown.

What themes do you explore in your work?

I have a few different styles or themes I work with.

My vintage illustration cards and books, there is something so amazing about the illustrations memories of the books I coveted from the school library, the Golden Books I browsed through at the supermarket checkout with my Nan - yes, in the town I grew up in at the end of the checkout were Golden Books, Womens Weekly magazines and cordial bottles shaped like koalas and kangaroos with built in straws you had to bite the end off to get to the cordial.

I also have a series of books and cards with a paper cut cloud design, I started making these after my Grandfather passed away. I kept finding myself cutting small clouds out of paper, I suppose it was a bit meditative. I really love the act of cutting the paper, quiet time when your brain can wander.

What mediums do you work in?

Paper, paper and more paper. I have a slightly out of control collection of paper - so out of control that I have opened a second Etsy shop called Geritomsupplies to try decrease the slightly crazed hoarder level it is currently at.

Why do you create?

I have always had to make things, I can't think of a single moment in my life where some sort of art or craft project wasn't on the go. It is as natural as breathing.

How did you come to open a store on Etsy?

I first started shopping on Etsy, and then thought maybe I should have a go selling there too. I am a crazy Etsy shopper, sometimes I have to temporarily ban myself from looking.

How do you feel when you make a sale?

I always excitedly rush to tell my flatmate, it still makes me excited.

What are your top Etsy tips?

I don't know that I have any specific tips really, just give it a go - what do you have to lose?

Where else can we see or buy your work?

I sell my work at I Heart Gallery on King St in Newtown, One Earth Cafe in Willoughby, Incube8r Gallery in Mosman, soon at Spacebar in Hobart. Plus I have a market stall the first Sunday of each month at the Eveleigh Artisan Market.

How did you learn your trade?

I learned my trade literally on the job.

I grew up in a country town and wanted to move to Sydney and go to Art School, but needed to have a job so I wrote letters to every art related shop or gallery in Sydney and out of the mountain of mail I sent I received only two replies. Both were Art Material stores in Chatswood, one store to say although they had no positions to let them know if I was really stuck and the other saying come down so we can meet you. I was given a chance even though I had no experience, was 17 and so shy I barely spoke. I still have regular contact with my boss from then, 23 years later without her I may well still be back in that town.

So, I was thrown in the deep end and I loved it. I am still working at the same store with a different owner, and am now the manager. They have let me leave to travel and come back, take time off to study, and are part of my family.

If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be?

My pearl of wisdom is this - if you are doing what you love you are a happy person. So do it.

Creativity sure can chase the blues away! Thanks Kathryn, it was lovely hearing your story. It makes me enjoy your work even more...especially your beautiful cloud cards.

You can add Geritom71 on facebook here and find her Etsy store here!

If you're a Sydney Etsy Team member and would like to be interviewed, featured, or do a guest blog post, please convo me on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/msunflower I'd love to hear from you!

~MSunflower~



All photos used in this post are copyright to Kathryn and Geritom71 and used with her kind permission.

An Interview With Moncherie43

Welcome to the second in a series of maker interviews with Sydney Etsy Team members. If you'd like to be interviewed please convo me, I'd love to hear about and share your work!


My second interview is with team member Moncherie43 who sells vintage inspired accessories. Let us begin...

Who are you?

I’m Chelsea, a girl from Sydney Australia who loves jewelry making, photography, sewing, art, blogging and of course ETSY!

What do you do?

I create jewelry that brings back memories! Very vintage and rocker inspired.

What is your background in making?

I'm newbie to it actually. My father has always been amazing at it, so he's taught me quite a few things!

Who or what inspires you?

Practically everything! Whether it’s looking at people’s blogs, movies, music, vintage Polaroid’s, prints from society6.com, fashion and photography books, classic ladies and even dainty interiors!

What themes do you explore in your work?

Not really any specific themes. There's an overall theme of love throughout though!

What mediums do you work in?

Findings like feathers, brass, gold and silver charms and cameos and cabochons.

Why do you create?

I love hearing that someone loved something I made for them, it's exhilarating! It also helps that I love making it as well. Anything creative is fun to me!

How did you come to open a store on Etsy?

I've always been a big fan of Etsy, and finally took the plunge and made a store. I knew that jewelry is quite competitive, but wanted to use up my stash of supplies and throw some charm and colour into it.

How do you feel when you make a sale?

I'm sure everyone can agree it feels great! I always treat my customers like they are the Queen, it's kind of funny! It doesn't happen too often, as I only have about 35 things, but I'm adding as much as I can when I can.

What are your top Etsy tips?

Read the Storque, make treasuries, join teams (or even critique team), work on your SEO, create a blog/facebook/twitter, be extra kind and last but not least, don't give up!


Where else can we see or buy your work?

Currently only on Etsy, but I'm adding things to Artfire soon, yay!

How did you learn your trade?

Practice, learning and trying new things.

Any extra info you'd like to include?

Find out when my new items are going up on my blog: www.moncherie43.blogspot.com

I'll also be having a giveaway soon and posting when my Facebook's up!

Returning customers get 10% off with a special code included with their order! Lasts until the 24th of June.


If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be?

Stop being so freezing in winter and boiling in summer!

Yes please, weather! Thanks for the interview Chelsea. :)
 
If you're a Sydney Etsy Team member and would like to be interviewed, featured, or do a guest blog post, please convo me on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/msunflower I'd love to hear from you!

~MSunflower~



All photos used in this post are copyright to Chelsea and Moncherie43 and used with her kind permission.

Etsy Craft Party - Sydney City Roundup

Our Sydney city Etsy Craft Party last Friday was so much fun, it was wonderful to meet so many Etsy enthusiasts. We made felt brooches and mini paper bunting. Some people also brought knitting and crochet projects. Thank you to all that came, for your enthusiasm, ideas, and inspiration. We've decided it might be nice to hold regular meet-ups like this one once a month, so I'll keep you posted. Here are some photos of the event, I love how bright and colourful everything was!

Kit x

An Interview With One Trick Pony

Welcome to the first in a series of maker interviews with Sydney Etsy Team members. If you'd like to be interviewed please convo me, I'd love to hear about and share your work! 


My first interview is with team member One Trick Pony who creates artworks and a veritable rainbow of warm, snuggly winter things (perfect for this weather really!) Let us begin...


Who are you? 



Anni Jane Linklater aka One Trick Pony on Etsy and Violent_rabbit everywhere else. :)



What do you do? 



I make things! I knit, draw, paint and sew. I am soon to learn how to make teapots which I am very excited about.



What is your background in making?



Well, I am art school trained for whatever that means. I guess all my serious arts have a solid grounding in art theory?

As for everything else, I have been crafting since I was a wee lass - Mum tried to teach me to knit when I was eight but it ended up an exercise in frustration for both of us. So I soon got myself some books out the library and taught myself, been crafting ever since.

 

Who or what inspires you? 

Everything! Trite answer but true. I am constantly eating everything up with my eyes to digest and then re-purpose. The medium themselves play a massive role in what the end product is, to be honest. It's so lovely to meet other makers as well, they're all so nice and vivacious!



Art wise there is very little that makes me go wow - Myeongbeom Kim and Agata Oleksiak are the most recent artists I have been enthused about.



What themes do you explore in your work? 



My drawings are definitely playing with optical illusions and the idea that a simple and strict set of internal rules can lead to something visually dazzling. 

My button cuffs and arm warmers and kitty hats are examples of, 'hey I think this looks good! OK lets make 600 million of them until I get it right' kind of thing. Therein lies the reason for my shop name - get it? :P



What mediums do you work in? 



Yarn lovely, lovely yarn. Paint and ink. 

 

Why do you create? 



Because I would go nuts otherwise! A life where I dont have a project (or seven) on the go is a life where I am sad. 

Knitting (and the nature of my drawings as well) have a wonderful meditative quality to them that just calms the mind right down. 



How did you come to open a store on Etsy? 



It was way back when, 2007 I think. I was incredibly frustrated with the degree I was currently doing and the etsy store was a nice pressure valve from the stresses of study. 

 

How do you feel when you make a sale? 



On top of the world! No, the moon! No the entire galaxy.



What are your top Etsy tips? 



Promote promote promote! Don't let some of the more neurotic aspects of the etsy culture get you down - there are some wonderful people on there, you may just have to dig a little. 



Where else can we see or buy your work? 



At the wonderful I Heart Gallery on King St, Newtown, right next to St Peters Station and I occasionally do market stalls so keep your eyes out. :)

How did you learn your trade? 



Self taught for the most part - Ive always been a person who is at her happiest when sitting alone making things quietly.



Any extra info you'd like to include? 



Keep an eye out for a truckload of kitty hats and button cuff coming soon! :) 

I also bake a mean cake and am a generally pleasant person to be around.



If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be? 

Educate yourself and educate others and maybe the future wont be as *bleeped* as it seems.


LOL a resounding ending to a great interview! Thanks Anni :) it was fascinating learning more about your process and work. You can find One Trick Pony on Etsy, Twitter, Ravelry, and Tumblr. Add her now!

If you're a Sydney Etsy Team member and would like to be interviewed, featured, or do a guest blog post, please convo me on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/msunflower I'd love to hear from you!

~MSunflower~



All photos and Etsy screenshots used in this post are copyright to Anni and One Trick Pony and used with her kind permission.