Interview with a.e.wilder & GIVEAWAY

Recently in the Etsy Forums, I came across one of those avatars that captures your attention. It was this sweet little ditty, beckoning me to click-through.

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Once I found myself in the Etsy shop of Abigail E. Wilder, I was so glad I took the time to follow my instincts and click on that wee thumbnail of linen and embroidered sweetness - because there is an entire shop chalk-full of even more sweet designs, all with a similar, simple aesthetic. As you well know, when I find myself inspired by a fellow Etsyian, an interview typically follows:

Although the use of linen and embroidery is not a new technique, there is something very fresh about your style. It's hard for me to put my finger on it exactly; but I'm definitely loving the colors and use of vintage buttons. 

     I think that’s what I love about the materials I use:  they’re all so sweetly mundane.  I’m a simpleton at heart so I was drawn to the clean look of color on linen.  Linen has that wonderful quality of elevating whatever design you apply to it. 

How has your personal style evolved over time - and where do you see it going?  When you began your Etsy shop, did you know that this would become your signature technique - or has it been a more organic process?

My Etsy experience has been born from necessity.  She truly is the mother of the invention of the shop.  After my second child I had a doosie of a case of post partum depression.  I couldn’t find an ounce of my “old self” in the aftermath.  And while I wasn’t feeling inspired or creative (at all) I knew there was something to be gained by at least pretending to be creative.  So I taught myself to sew on a machine my mother gave me.  It seemed like a wonderful combination of keeping my brain preoccupied while my hands could work on something.  Needless to say, what resulted were tiny tote bags, embroidered pants, tea towels, and growth charts strewn about the house.  What started as a practical way to stave of the crazies…turned into an awesome experience.  I love every aspect of embroidery and sewing.

I think my style in the shop has just been an offshoot of a “look” I’m drawn to myself.  I don’t know that I ever intended to develop a signature technique, but now that you mention it – there is a theme, isn’t there! 

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While I continue to love working with buttons and linen and embroidery, what I appreciate even more is a handmade piece that is timeless.  I wanted items that recorded my babes’ birthdates, but I wanted them to be around forever, not just until I changed the décor in their room.  Thus was born the BirthDate Hoop.  So more than the materials I use, my process involves providing handmade beauty that will stand the test of time.  This is important to me in case we ever experience another “’80’s”.

We all have many style influences. Who are some of the people you find inspiration from?

        One influence was my time spent in a Montessori classroom as an instructor.  The Montessori philosophy places a high value on setting up and caring for a beautiful environment for the children.  Art prints from the Masters are hung at the child’s level.  Tables & chairs are wood.  The materials children work with and manipulate are color-coordinated.  The color scheme in the room is monochromatic to keep things soothing.  I was amazed at the positive influence a beautiful environment could have on children and anyone, really.  I can’t pretend it didn’t influence my style.

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My first two sewing books were Amy Karol’s, “Bend the Rules of Sewing” and Lotta Jansdotter’s, “Simply Sewing.”  These two gals are amazing.  I also love Scandinavian design, Swedish design, clean lines…you know the drill.

Your Etsy profile alludes to "bows and arrows" as well as Montessori. You've got my attention, and curiosity piqued. Please elaborate.

       Well, I mentioned above that I taught in a Montessori classroom.  It was the best time.  And I love now how much the philosophy has seeped into my own parenting.  And yes, I do shoot bow & arrow. My husband handcrafted a traditional long bow for me on my 30^th birthday.  I just think it’s an amazing, primitive form of defense.  I only wish it were more acceptable to grocery shop with a quiver of arrows on my back.

Not only has Abigail graciously, honestly, and humorously answered my questions - but she's also agreed to do a special giveaway just for the readers of Elan Vital Anthology! One lucky reader will win the pencil case of choice from her shop - and they are super-cute! This one is my personal favorite:

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To be entered to win you absolutely must do the following:

• Visit Abigail's shop, come back to the blog and comment about your favorite item in the shop, as well as which pencil case you hope to win. (1 entry)
• Follow the Elan Vital Anthology blog, be sure and comment to let me know you've done so.

For additional entries, you can (each of these is good for 1 extra entry):

• Tweet about the giveaway, be sure and leave a comment with your twitter id so I can find your tweet
• Blog about this giveaway, comment with a link to your blogpost.

The giveaway will end on March 16th, at the stroke of midnight - when this blog post turns into a pumpkin. Until that time - it's fair play. The lucky winner will be randomly selected and announced on March 17th!

If you can't wait to see if you win, or if you don't end up winning - Abigail's done us all one better - she's extending a secret sale just to Elan Vital Anthology blog readers. At checkout, simply enter "ELANVITAL" in the "Message to Seller" section of Etsy for 15% off your entire purchase.

Good Luck!

Going Home To Roost

Photo: Heaven Scent Simmer Sachets

If you don't know this blog yet, you really should. Going Home To Roost is an wonderfully written blog, resplendent with fun tutorials, shop features, and great gift guides. I recently contacted the mastermind behind GH2R, Bonnie, about my shop - and specifically, my organic home products.

She's done a wonderful write-up about my shop - which you can see here. I'd like to extend a special offer to anyone who is making a purchase: 10% off your entire purchase (on top of the 15% off Vintage Holiday section). Just write: "goinghome2roost" in the Message to Seller section upon purchase. Your discount will be refunded via PayPal.

Interview with jenjems

There are many wonderful aspects to starting your own business on Etsy. As with any other venture, there's the sense of accomplishment, nurturing your own success, and regular challenges that make each day different. But what makes Etsy so refreshing is, in my opinion, the community. I have met many wonderful people - and consider many of them my friends. Today, I want to introduce you to one of my Etsy friends: Jen Moore, creator of jenjems, a beautiful line of jewelry with lines inspired by the natural world.

Etsy is home to myriad talented jewelers, but jenjems is amongst the cream of the crop for her sophisticated designs, stunning materials, and importantly - her great business sensabilities. Over the past several months, I have been grateful for Jen's daily Facebook posts, which almost always make me laugh out loud. Perhaps more relevantly, I have been awed by her Marketing prowess. For example, jenjems' 'Hidden Treasures', a sort of scavenger hunt sale for her Facebook fans. Trust me, it's really fun and gratifying as a buyer. Beyond the clever twist on a sale, Jen has a lot of other great ideas which I asked her to share with us, as well as letting us know her better:

I see you on Facebook, and I'm always impressed with the diversity of your Marketing strategies: Hidden Treasures, jenjems Parties, etc. Moreover, I'd have to say the reason your Marketing works, is that I don't feel I'm being sold/advertised to. It's actually fun! Where did you learn Marketing?

I'm a shopper myself...to put it mildly; I guess you could say I'm somewhat of a shopaholic. As a Seller, my approach to marketing is to put myself in the buyer's position. I think, "How would I want to be sold to?", and go from there. I can't stand the hard sell: if someone is nagging at me "BUY MY STUFF" I tend to back off more than make a purchase, so I keep it low key. Because I take this approach, Marketing is kinda second nature to me. My approach to jenjems marketing comes from great shopping experiences, dreams, and innovating. My packaging is a result of both my obsessive compulsive nature, as well as a lesson about customer appreciation I learned as a buyer. I once made a purchase online for five pairs of shoes (see, told you I was a shopaholic!) They were each individually packaged with matching tissue and a cute, little sticker; they came with a very nice note, thanking me for my purchase. I can still recall the feeling of joy and excitement I had as I unwrapped each pair. When I started jenjems, I used that memory to come up with my own Marketing strategy for packaging. I want everyone to have that feeling of joy and excitement when they receive jenjems.

'Hidden Treasures' was actually inspired by a recurring dream from my childhood: I was gathering "jewels" and placing them in a GIANT treasure chest. Each dream was in a different setting, but the end result was the same, I was searching for "hidden treasure". I thought, "Why not use that as a marketing tool?", and let my fans find the 'hidden treasure' in my shop.

Jenjems parties are really just a fresh take on the classic Tupperware party. I figured if it works for their merchandise, why not mine? It's so much fun to gather with friends and shop in the comfort of your own home. Get a few cocktails in your friends and they're REALLY ready to shop!

In your shop profile, you mention that you find inspiration in nature. I'm always curious to know what inspires artists - I think that it says something about their unique perspective. Can you elaborate?

I am fortunate enough to have a beautiful commute each day along a stretch of highway with farmland on either side. It's a nice way to start and end my day, and I'm always inspired by the scenery: like the way the sun hits the tips of the trees, the curves and shapes of the land, an old barn alone in a field. This simple imagery is often what charges my creativity and inspires new designs. Watching the way water flows down a hill may inspire the lines of a necklace. Appreciating the beauty in nature and the world around me, whether farmland or the city always shapes the creativity that comes from within.

Art teachers have made a huge difference in my life - I think it's fabulous that you are an art teacher. Tell us about it.

My desire to teach art started at a very young age. There was always something intriguing about art teachers: their carefree attitudes, the way they were always so kind and full of encouragement. My career path has taken me from Daycare Assistant to sixth grade Art Teacher and currently, to Director of a non-profit childcare center. My program emphasizes on the arts and hands-on lessons more so than academics. There is so much we can learn from a child, if we just take the time to listen and observe. Working with children has taught me to be kinder and honest to others – and myself.

Once while painting with the children I wasn't happy with my end result. Discouraged, I quickly tossed my painting in the trash. Upon seeing this, one of my students, reminding me of my own words, looked up at me and said, "Ms. Jen, 'make masterpieces out of mistakes'", a phrase I started using due to a serious lack of supplies and funding. Hearing my own words from this child made me value the lesson I'd been trying to teach. Rather than toss what I thought was a mistake in my design, I was able to see it in a whole new light; and conceive a new design better altogether than the original. This moment, this lesson – it has stuck with me in my approach to all of my art.

And the Survey Says....GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY CLOSED.

Well, almost free. Actually, I'm going to ask you for a teensy weensy bit of feedback, and for your time, you will be entered in a giveaway for an Herbal Eye Pillow of your choice.

1) What is your first impression of my shop?

2) What is your favorite item?

3) What is just far too overpriced?

Bonus: If you are an Etsy Seller and win, you will ALSO be written up as a Featured Seller on my blog!

Requirements: You must be 18 years old to enter. This giveaway is open internationally. Giveaway is closed at 11:59pm on Sunday, November 8, 2009 Pacific Time. Winner will be by random draw and will be contacted by me. The winner must confirm their win within 24 hrs of my email or a runner up will be drawn.

How to enter!
First Entry: Visit Elan Vital Anthology and answer the survey questions by responding in the comments below. Let me know which Herbal Eye Pillow you would like.
Second Entry: Follow my blog for second entry!
3 Extra Entries: Blog about this giveaway and hyperlink to the blog. Let me know in your comment.
5 Extra Entries: For each purchased item from ElanVital Anthology during this giveaway, receive 5 extra entries! Be sure to post comment here so that I know the purchase is from you.

Moth Written - Featured Etsyian

For those of you who know me and know me well, you know that I am a hopeless romantic. Also, I'm what you'd call crafty - not in that Beastie Boys way; more in the Martha way. As well, I am a relentless activist. One day, while cruising Renegade Handmade's Artist list, I found Moth Written's adorable and compelling banner. I had to learn more, and I am SO glad that I did.

Moth Written is the lovechild of Mary E. Robbins and Nabil Sibouih. At Moth Written, you will find simple, sweet, and yes! sometimes political graphics printed on t-shirts, bags, pins and the like. What makes Moth Written different from any other graphic/print shop I've yet seen, is that accompanying these wonderfully appealing graphics are the Arabic words for each image.

So take a peek into their craftivistic shop, and learn Arabic one word at a time! Don your favorite shirt or bag and, to quote Mary and Nabil, "create positive dialogue about the Arabic-speaking world".