ETSY HAWAII SALE THIS WEEKEND!

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!

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

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!!!

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!

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!

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

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!

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

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!

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!!