Etsy Hawaii Street Team

2010 Happy New Year!

2010-01-21T19:39:00.001-10:00

This was way back when and the team has grown. Etsy and its Hawaii sellers are very active and ready to get back into the swing of things as a team. We are looking for venues to participate in, as well as to meet and support each other in our quest for being our own boss and sharing our creations worldwide!

We now have Twitter, Facebook, and many different ways to help promote our businesses. Locally, we have pop-up boutiques and social events to get the word out. Remember Guerilla marketing? As small business owners, we have little to no marketing budget. We need to get creative. Being part of a street team is a fun way for us to promote Etsy and our individual shops.

So let's get out there and let Hawaii know what we are all about!

Team Etsy Hawaii rocks...

2008-09-24T23:58:00.000-10:00

Etsy
Buy Handmade
teametsyhawaii

HAWAII FEATURED SELLER - 3Dcranes.etsy.com

2008-04-25T06:39:00.000-10:00

Meet Michelle, the owner of 3Dcranes.etsy.com! Michelle creates the most amazing origami crane art and her designs are original ideas that she sketches out from scratch (I got a peek at her sketch book)...

1. Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, and personal stuff). My full name is Michelle Judee McCall. Even though I'm a "yon-sei" or fourth-generation Japanese-American, I didn't get a Japanese middle name like many of my relatives do, I was named after my mother's best friends. My "maiden name" was Mizuno. I graduated from Pearl City High School in 1993, and yes, I was a member of that gigantic marching band... One pretty cool fact about my family is that 3 generations of us have all attended the same elementary school: my grandfather, my father and his siblings, myself, my brother, and our cousins. I've been married for almost 6 years to my husband, James, who is from Highlands, North Carolina. We don't have any kids yet, only one spoiled brat of a dog, named Scooter.

2. What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it? Probably the first thing I made was a lei, or maybe a paper airplane. I'm not entirely sure. I made a lot of things as a child. Since I was a bit of a tomboy, I spent a lot of time making model fighter jets with my father, but I also learned some unique things, like how to make paper, from my neighbor's grandmother. I also taught myself to draw in the fifth grade. There were not a lot of kids my age in my neighborhood, so I think I had to make things in order to keep myself busy.

3. What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from? My inspiration varies from day to day. Not long after I married, I took a deeper interest in Japanese culture, with plans to one day to pass what I learned to any children I might have one day. I regretted not asking questions about the culture and the arts when the elder generations were around to answer from their experiences.

As far as where my ideas come from, I'm not really sure. I've always had an active imagination, so sometimes the oddest images will just pop into my head.

4. What are your favorite materials? The material I work with the most is paper, but I'd have to say that my favorite right now is wood. I began making picture frames for my work last year, and I've become fascinated with the woodworking process.

5. What is your favorite color? If I had to choose a favorite color, I'd have to pick blue.

6. What are your most and least 2 favorite films? My least favorite film of all time would have to be "Good Will Hunting." It's the only film I've ever walked out of in a theater. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about the movie, and I've regretted it ever since.

My favorite? That's a little harder to narrow down. I have some old favorites like "Somewhere in Time" and "An Affair to Remember", as well as the original "Star Wars" movies, but I loved "A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen." I also have a soft spot in my heart for "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" because my wedding song came from that movie. I also recently discovered "Come See the Paradise" starring Dennis Quaid and Tamlyn Tomita -- it's set during World War II and is pretty much the only one I've seen that features a mixed-race couple of similar ethnicity to myself and my husband.

7. What are you reading right now? Right now I'm bouncing between rereading two books: "The Richest Man in Babylon" by George S. Clason, and "The Phantom of the Opera," by Gaston Leroux.

8. Any tips on selling handmade stuff? Tips? Don't give up, and be careful about where you get your advice about your business. A lot of people like to give "suggestions" but you have to learn that though many of them are well meant, it doesn't mean that the ideas will be either helpful or practical.

9. Apart from creating things what do you do? When I'm not creating things for my business, I'm often reading. I'm also a wannabe-writer. I've written five novels, all of which are well-hidden in a drawer and will never again see the light of day -- if I can help it!

10. List your webpages, blogs and other marketing websites here.
Etsy shop: 3DCranes.etsy.com Other website: 3d-cranes.com Blog: 3dcranes.blogspot.com I'm also on Flickr, Indiepublic, and MySpace.

To see these items, click on the picture to be taken to Michelles shop!

Cascading Origami Roses - Bridal Bouquet

First Swim - Origami Crane Art ACEO

Believe - Origami Crane Art Kanji (Framed)

Birose makes the front page!

2008-04-09T00:20:00.000-10:00

Click to get a better view... :)

Crafting in Hawaii

2008-03-29T07:57:00.000-10:00

Welcome to our new teamettes!

2008-03-27T08:03:00.000-10:00

Aloha! We would like to welcome the following Etsy sellers to our team:

Valerie's Cottage

Haute Fox

Erin Tokuuke

mkcarroll

Some neat resources to gussie-up your shop, blog, myspace, or what-have-you:

Etsy Downloads

There are other resources available through these team resource pages:

Links has information on business resources, finances, marketing, photography, healthcare, etc.

Check it all out! There is so much information for our team on the
team pages.

If you would like to join our team, please contact us at teametsyhawaii@gmail.com.

HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY!

2008-03-17T13:24:00.000-10:00

A very heartfelt Happy St. Patricks Day to you from the Hawaii Etsy Street Team!

Check out our "Going Green for St. Patty" collection!

Just click on the photo set above to see these Hawaii Creations and MORE!

ETSY HAWAII SALE THIS WEEKEND!

2007-10-24T11:09:00.000-10:00

COME AND CHECK OUT OUR ETSY HAWAII SALE!

This week Saturday 10/27/07 at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet!

Just look for our awesome banner: Designed by Martha with AmorDePlata.etsy.com

Support Original Artists, Designers and Artisians and BUY HANDMADE!

ALOHA STADIUM SWAP MEET SALE!

2007-10-02T21:40:00.000-10:00

Mark your calenders!

OCTOBER 27, 2007 Aloha Stadium Swap Meet

1. We need a head count of who is interested in selling and the times you are able to sell. Please let us know ASAP if you want in!

2. We will need to co-ordinate a booth layout based on how many sellers are interested.

3. Martha (AmorDePlata) will be doing a 10' Etsy Hawaii sign for us... individual sellers should have a sign for their table display.

4. We will work out the times, space and cost breakdown. Details pending.

Have a great night, and remember to check out the new October Forum and also check out our yahoo group discussion!

Aloha... Keala

Featured Seller - PUPPETS AND PALS

2007-10-01T13:27:00.000-10:00

Coco PupPet

Blue Feathered Glove Puppet

Haupia PupPet

1. Tell us a bit about yourself (name, location, affiliations, and personal stuff).

My name is Nikole Horkin and I am a stay at home mother to one son, Harrison, who just turned two. My full time job is being a mother and my second job is as an artist. I have been studying puppetry for many years and am a member of POA (Puppeteers of America) and UNIMA (Union Internationale de la Marionette). I am currently studying theater and art at the University of Hawaii. I not only make my own puppets but also perform them as well. I can be seen locally and will be listing a calendar of shows on my website soon.

2. What is the first thing you can remember making by hand? How and why did you make it?

I still have a picture that I drew when I was five. It was of a mouse holding a piece of cheese and I even signed it! Yeah, I always knew that art was going to be a big part of my life.

3. What inspires you? Where do your ideas come from?

Wow....what DOESN'T inspire me? Well my dog was the inspiration for my bigger and hairier puppets and I send out a picture of my dog with the story of how my puppet came to be with each "adoption." I believe that when you put the photo of my dog up next to the puppet, they look quite alike. By the way, I have a Brussles Griffin. He looks a lot like an Ewok from Star Wars.

4. What are your favorite materials?

I have an addiction to fabrics. If only you could see my puppet studio. I can spend hours in a fabric store especially in the remnants sections. That is the good thing about working with puppets...they don't require a lot of yardage.

5. What is your favorite color?

Like the movie.......the color purple.

6. What are your most and least two favorite films?

Do I really have to only pick two? Well, I'll tell you my two favorite puppet movies: Dark Crystal and The Muppet Movie (the song that Kermit sings, "Rainbow Connection," makes me teary eyed every time I hear it).

7. What are you reading right now?

Do craft books count? I always have some sort of craft book on my night stand next to my bed. However, the last real book that I read and enjoyed would be Amy Tan's The Bonesetter's Daughter.

8. Any tips on selling handmade stuff?

Yes, be sure to take the best possible pictures. Pictures tell everything and can actually make or break a sale. It is like the old saying of judging a book by its cover. You only get a few moments to make that first impression for a sale.

9. Apart from creating things, what do you do?

It always seems like I am creating something...even in my sleep so that is why I keep a journal next to my bed for those times that I wake up in the middle of the night with one of my crazy ideas. Sometimes they turn out to be great ideas in the morning and other times I think, "What was I dreaming of?!"

10. List your webpages, blogs, other marketing sites here.

I'm still in the process of getting my website designed and it will contain a calendar of the dates and locations where I will be performing my puppet shows at: www.puppetsandpals.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN ADOPT ONE OF THESE LOVEABLE PALS GO ONLINE TO www.puppetsandpals.etsy.com

HAWAII ETSY IN THE NEWS!!!

2007-09-12T17:54:00.000-10:00

Kathi Palmer Michelle McCall Angela Kennington

Indie Crafters Selling Handmade Goods on Website

Sep 12, 2007 03:53 PM
(KHNL) - If you're looking to buy or even sell a handmade item, there's a website created just for what is called, Indie Crafters.

This site is a user driven online marketplace, with thousands of international homemade items. It's only two years in the making but experts are already saying it could be the next big thing on the net.

Move over Ebay, here comes something etsier.
Local crafters are going global on Etsy.com, a site to buy and sell all things handmade. But unlike Ebay, Etsy uses set prices rather than an auction-based system and everything must be handmade.

With thousands of sellers hailing from around the world, there's a whole list of unique things . From jewelry to blankets and artwork. And that's not all, there's even cupcakes on there.
In Hawaii alone, there are 55 sellers. Kathi Palmer is one of them. She's the creator of Isabella Smiles.

"I personally sell jewelry that I handmade myself," said Palmer. "I sell earrings and bracelets and necklaces."

Michelle McCall sells origami artwork and Angela Kennington sells baby items plus she's working on a line of hand bags.

But these local crafters say Etsy is more than just a place to sell and buy things, it's a community forum.

"Alot of sellers are supportive of each other," said McCall. "You can get a lot of input. It's an inspiration. They inspire you to do something you wouldn't normally do."

And what you wouldn't normally find at your local store, you'll find on Etsy.
"Why spend your money on stuff in Walmart that looks like everything else when you have something special that someone created with love, " said Kennington.

Anyone can set up a free account on Etsy. There are currently 200,000 members internationally and about 38,000 of those use Etsy as a marketplace to sell their handmade goods.

ETSY Workshop... need your feedback!

2007-09-07T11:41:00.000-10:00

A MESSAGE FROM DENISE dmollison.etsy.com

Hi Keala.

I am going to the do the September 11 etsy workshop. They are looking for any input and contributions as to construct and operate etsy teams. Sort of a reference guide based on the experience of current teams. I assume Kathi received the same email, but I wanted to let you know for the blog update.

The problem here is with the timing, for I see you posted a meeting on the 17, and they have scheduled this workshop on the 11. What a great topic for the meeting this would have been! We need input as a team, and they want our artowrk and ideas. I emailed admin to see if I could get a few more specifics. I thought you would want to have the latest info.

Denise

KHNL NEWS OPPORTUNITY!

2007-09-01T11:03:00.000-10:00

Kathi (IsabellaSmiles) has set up a sit and talk with KHNL News Channel to discuss Etsy and our Street Team as well as to showcase our items on the news!! Great job Kathi!

At this time Kathi will be on to represent us Jewelry makers, AMKStitches will be on to represent the Designers/Seamstresses and 3Dcranes will be showing off her amazing Origami Crane Art! What a great way to show the diversity of our group!

Although not everyone will be able to be on the news, this really is a wonderful opportunity for us HI808'ers and etsy!

If you would like to showcase your items, please contact Kathi directly for information on where you can mail it to/drop it off at...

SEPTEMBER UPCOMING MEETING

2007-08-09T16:00:00.000-10:00

Where: Zippys Nimitz (across from Hilo Hatties)

When: September 22, Saturday at 11am

We will have an ETSY sign on a table in the take out section!

Remember to bring some promo ideas and be prepared to have some fun!

HELPFUL LINKS, Post here!

2007-08-02T11:53:00.000-10:00

Since I largely do Jewelry, I found this link which has tons of helpful advice on photos, marketing, sales etc.

Check it out!

Jewelry Business Success News http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com/

Do you have any helpful Links for your fellow Hawaii Etsiers?? If so, post them here!

Upcoming Hawaii Street Team Meeting

2007-06-27T11:15:00.000-10:00

Where: Pearlridge - Borders Books
When: July, 14 2007 at 11am

Hope to meet you all! Remember to bring some promo ideas and be prepared to have some fun!

Aloha Hawaii Etsy Street Team!

2007-06-25T14:29:00.000-10:00

Theres a new Street Team on the rise specifically for us "Hawaii" folk! This will be a great way to help promote our fellow Hawaii Etsy Sellers.

Let's make the 808 State stand lound and proud on Etsy!!