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.

Stripes and spots

Stripes and spots from the Sydney Team!

Zebras Watercolour Print by Splodgepodge

Kimono Baby Shoes by PurpleCowStudio

 

Little Boys' Black Bonnet by LittleBettyDesigns

Note Cards by KazuOnline

Spot Whale Pillow by AlphabetMonkey

Graphic Textures in Black, White and Grey

Sometimes you can just let the texture and design do the talking, rather than the colour. I thought these selected items from The Sydney Etsy Team illustrate the use of black, white and grey well.

All of these designs and items have been created in Sydney, by Sydney Etsy Team members.

Above, Charcoal Complexion - Handmade Cold Process Soap - All Natural Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils with Activated Charcoal by Innerearthsoaps

Below: Gypsy skirt or dress, tribal motif with sheer lower section - ONLY 2 available by JupiterThree




Above, The Science of Love - laser cut heart necklace with brain contours, black acrylic FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE by Morphologica

Below: ruffle necklace, ruffle collar. buttermilk cream. PVC. contemporary, handmade designer jewelry by frankideas on Etsy by frankideas



And above: Unisex Breakers Solid Sterling Silver Necklace by Whitelake Designs
by Whitelake Designs

post by Penelope Red

You can find all of these designers and more by taking a look at the Sydney Etsy Team Blog

Australia Day on Etsy!

Australia Day Promotion


Gum Leaves Pin Cushion by spincushions


The Australian teams on etsy have joined together for an exciting cross-team Australia Day event! Teams from all around Australia are participating- the Down Under Street Team (DUST), the Sydney Etsy Team, the MadeOnTheLeft team from Perth, the Adealaide team and the BrisStyle team from Brisbane.

Find some amazing handmade or vintage goodies, or pick up some craft supplies to make something special! Participating shops are offering a discount of between 15%-25% across their entire store between January 26th-31st (Aus time).

How to get the special Australia Day discount:

Enter the discount code ausday in the coupon code space during checkout between 26th-31st

Use the code for:

15% off these items

20% off these items

25% off these items

Support for the flood disaster

From My Heart Card donated by glasfaden

As part of the Australia Day event, we'd also like to help spread the word about the efforts on etsy to raise funds for those affected by the terrible flood disaster in Queensland.

The BrisStyle team is running a Handmade Ark Flood Appeal, with some or all proceeds from items sold to be donated to the Premier's Disaster Relief Fund. Browse items from the Ark Appeal here or find out more on the BrisStyle Blog.

The DUST team has set up a dedicated shop with all proceeds (minus etsy and PayPal fees) to be donated to the premier's flood appeal. Visit the AusDisasterRelief shop here.

(please note- the flood fundraising appeals are separate from the Australia Day discount offer)

-posted by morphologica

The Queensland Flood Disaster

Originally posted on The Australian Etsy Blog
I'm sure everyone is aware of the terrible flood disaster in Queensland. Many Australian sellers on etsy are working together to try and raise funds to help those affected by the disaster, and there are lots of ways you can help- either by donating an item, buying some cool stuff with the proceeds being donated to the flood relief fund, or by helping to spread the word about these efforts.

The Australian Etsy DUST team has established a shop taking donations from sellers all over the world, with all funds (minus etsy and PayPal fees) to be donated to the Queensland Premier's Disaster Relief Appeal (over $2500 has been raised already). There are new goodies being added all the time, but you have to be quick before someone else snaps them up because things are selling quickly! You can visit the ausdisasterrelief shop on etsy here.

Some of my favourites from the shop:
Swoon Bracelet by SavageKitten

Alien Nation Coinpurse by MsPIGGii

Visual Journal Slip Cover by iheartcharlie

The Queensland BrisStyle team has also launched a Handmade Ark Flood Appeal, where participating members are donating proceeds from their sales. You can find out info and browse the lovely things for sale via the team's blog- they have raised over $1300 already!

Picks from the Handmade Ark Appeal:


Follow Your Heart Garland by LittleMaryMoo

Banana Cupcake Soap by warmsigh

Jeffrey by WildChildDesigns

There are also other ways to donate- you can contribute directly to the Premier's Relief appeal here.

Also, the RSPCA has asked for help, as their Fairfield Shelter has been severely damaged (see below). Unfortunately the shelter can't receive disaster relief funds needed for human welfare, so they are relying on donations to rebuild the facility. If you would like to donate, please visit their website for details. All of the animals have had to go into temporary foster care because the housing and equipment has been destroyed.

- posted by morphologica