Shop Feature --- Cheryl A. Smith

I first introduced the very talented felt designer Cheryl a couple weeks ago in a Friday Five post featuring her cupcake pin cushion.

Please welcome Cheryl A. Smith.

Name 3 random things about yourself:
1. I have stitched over 6,875 finger puppets by hand since I started my Etsy shop.
2. I make friends with alley cats.
3. I like to grow carnivorous plants, especially sundews.

Where are you from? Is your Etsy shop full time for you?
I currently live in Atlanta, GA. I work full time at my art and craft, however my Etsy shop is only part of what I do. I also have a couple of websites: http://www.cherylasmith.com/ and http://hobbyloco.com

 

 

What's your favorite part of running an Etsy shop?
Being able to work from home, doing what I love to do.

 

 

What made you fall in love with Etsy?
I am an Etsy "old-timer". I joined in June 2005 when Etsy first started. I knew immediately that it was going to be great! There is a nice camaraderie among the artists.

 

 

Are you super neat and organized in your craft room?
When I am not working things are pretty organized. When I am working, I am a whirlwind with supplies all around me.

 

 

What is your favorite material to work with?
I love stitching felt. However, when I am not stitching I work with many types of materials. I love to doodle, paint, collage, cross-stitch, and much more!

What is your favorite listing in your shop?Ooh that's a tough one. Currently I love my "Itsy Bitsy Spider" puppet set. I originally created that set for a charity auction and it has become one of my best sellers. 

What are your favorite flowers to receive?
I love to receive plants instead of flowers, so I can watch them grow.

 

 

What is your favorite sweet snack?
Dark Chocolate Trinity Ice Cream.

 

 

Name the first word or image that comes to mind:
cats

 

 

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years with your business?
I would love to be living in a cozy little house in the North Georgia mountains, still stitching and able to make a living doing what I love to do.

 

DIY Postcards

Heres the scoop:
I took a photo of my softies. I opened the photo in picnik (bummed they are shutting down their services in April). Is there a photo editing site you suggest? I simply added text to my photo. Saved it to a SD card & took my SD card to my local print shop.  I brought along with me my own white cardstock I got on clearance @ Joanns the other day. I had 4 photos printed per page @ 53¢ per color copy. They cut them for me for $3.98. I could have done the cutting myself but the money was worth the time saved. For around $30.00 I now have 200 postcards for all my advertising pleasure. What are your advertising suggestions? Do you order your advertising, or do you "do it yourself?"

Versatile Blogger Award

A big thank you to Patty at Fabric Sticks and Strings - for awarding me the "Versatile Blogger Award!" Patty loves to create beautiful one of a kind things to brighten your home!

She uses only the highest quality cotton fabrics, threads and yarns in her pillows, table runners, quilts and other home decor items.

Check out her etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/twistedsticks

My job now is to tell you 7 things you might not know about me.

1. I have two boston terriers, one is a "Bugg" (Pug + Boston Terrier = Bugg) 10 & 6 years old.
2. I have ran 1 full marothon (26.2 miles) and 2 half marathons (13.1 miles), and various other smaller races. I will run more races someday soon to raise money for leukemia & breast cancer.
3. I love cheese.
4. I used to be in a book club. I wish I still was because I have loved to read since I was a little girl.
5. Before my current property managing position I was a toddler teacher at a local child care center. 6. I wish I could play an instrument.
7. I want to have my second baby in the next year or so.

Now for the list of 15 blogs to pass the torch to...The list of amazing, creative, pasionate bloggers you must check out !!

A.A Van Hoof
Art by Julia Skerry
Be More with Less
Cute and Creepy's Cannibalized Cuties!
Greenie Marie
Jillian Rene Decor
Just Kutz
mmmcrafts
Run 2 the Wild
Simon and Ruby
The Beauty of Life
Winter Sinking Strokes
Lambcake
Tranifer's Wonky Critters
Bliss Works Studio

Luck of the Irish

Shop Feature: Ruff House Art

I'm sure you are aware there are so many amazing shops on Etsy! I really want to take a stand to get to know who is behind some of these wonderful shops. I found Ruff House Art the other day while browsing for love birds. I found her love bird coasters to be clean, simple, and affordable - featured a few days ago on my Love Bird Friday Five post.  

From affordable wedding invitations, and personalized stationery, to party invites, and paper coasters...

"Everything we do is from the heart. We mix hip new designs with old-fashioned printing techniques. Our love of letterpress is matched only by our joy of bringing to life your ideas. All design, pressing, and production is done in our Lawrence, KS studio, ensuring that every piece is done with precision and passion. A small shop, with big heart, and endless ideas." ~Ruff House Art

Ladies and Gents I would like to introduce to you "Jill" from Lawrence, KS, of "Ruff House Art - a Letterpress & Custom Design Studio."

Name 3 random things about yourself:
1. Hugs and kisses from my 2 year old daughter, Mila, are my bliss.
2. I love old VW's. I drive a bug and someday hope to own a VW bus.
3. I regularly have a collection of at least 3 coffee cups on my desk.

Tell me about your craft: Ruff House Art began in 2009 with one designer, one Chandler & Price Letterpress and a whole lot of creativity and ambition. Today, Ruff House Art is proud to offer a superbly creative line of wedding stationery and home & office retail products. We aim to be as Eco-conscience as possible. All of the paper products contain at least a little recycled content with most containing 100% recycled content. Even the coasters are 100% biodegradable. The Seeded Line of greeting cards is the most eco-friendly with a beautiful flower bed embedded into every card.

What's your favorite part of running an Etsy shop? Definitely the people. People that shop Etsy, do so because they want a personal experience. They want a one-of-a-kind product and experience.

What made you fall in love with Etsy? The versatility of the artist. You can literally find everything - food, furniture, gifts, decor, clothes....love it!

Are you super neat and organized in your craft room? HA! I wish! I would like to say that I am organized in my own way. This is definitely something that I work on and maybe I am just too critical of myself as our recently hired intern was impressed by our organization.

What is your favorite material to work with? Paper, of course.

What is your favorite listing in your shop? This is a tough question and the answer changes daily. I love all our coasters and am probably most proud of that product line. But I am super excited about our most recently line of wall clocks.

What are your favorite flowers to receive? Daisy's, without a doubt.

What is your favorite sweet snack? Brownies....cookies, iced coffee. I have a soft spot for sweets! Name the first word or image that comes to mind: Brownies - I hadn't quite moved on from the previous thought. Wondering if I have enough ingredients to go make some, hmm...

Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years with your business? I started the company three years ago and never would have guessed I would be this far along already. I have big plans and endless ideas. Right now I am focused on the retail line and taking it to the National Stationery Show in May. I hope to gain a solid client list. I would ideally like to have a few more letterpresses, a couple of employees and one amazing office/retail space.

You can find Jill at her website www.ruffhouseart.com or on etsy: http://www.etsy.com/people/ruffhouseart

Treasury Thursday - You Are So Loved

In honor of Valentine's Day, a "love" themed treasury curated by www.ihartfelt.etsy.com

DIY - Business Cards