BeadStyle : Etsy.com

1000 Markets

Cathy Jakicic — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:55:00 GMT

I've blogged about Etsy before (and actually have a site there myself) but I recently received some interesting information — and some cool samples (see photo) — about another online market option — 1000 Markets.

1000 Markets is very similar to Etsy, but with some small differences for the buyer and seller.

For the buyer

The "markets" are divided into categories with individual Web addresses. You can start browsing from 1000markets.com, but if you are a regular shopper for specific items or experiences, you can go directly to walls.1000markets.com, ecofriendly.1000markets.com, childsplay.1000markets.com, or luxe.1000markets.com, etc. Check out the full list of categories here.

For the seller:

It is free to open your shop. 1000 markets deducts an all-inclusive fee when you make a sale. They call it MarketSimple™ pricing.If you make and sell your own artisanal products, then you can open a shop. You can read their merchant guideon the site. 100markets uses Amazon Payments for their sales and currently only supports US sellers. for more information, go to their seller information area.

Like etsy, they have some absolutely beautiful things there. Has anybody shopped or sold here? What has been your experience?

Great recessionista idea

Cathy Jakicic — Fri, 08 May 2009 17:23:00 GMT

Word of mouth is a fabulous thing for finding life's hidden treasures. My sister just told me about a jewelry line (that a friend told her about) that has hit on a great idea in financially challenging times for artists. The line is called "Circle of Friends." The necklaces feature a simple circle-centric pendant that is customized with a few gemstones. Each piece is only $10, and the many different styles offered make them really nice, personalized gifts for a range of different personalities and styles. It goes to show that with a really simple, adaptable idea, it's possible to keep material costs down enough to be able to offer a reasonably priced, but not cheap-looking creation.

Crafts, cakes, and creativity in 2009!

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:41:00 GMT

In recent blogs, Naomi talked about her creative resolutions for 2009 and Erin gave us the shortlist (which is actually a pretty long list) of projects she has in the works. Now here’s a sneak peek into the creative pursuits on the front (and back) burners of my own craftiness.

A few weeks ago, BeadStyle’s Senior Editor Linda Augsburg had the fabulous idea of cleaning out her craft room, depositing items she wasn’t using in an empty office here at Kalmbach, and allowing other crafters to raid the stash. I picked up a few rolls of seasonal-colored snowman-printed ribbon, and turned them into what I affectionately call Jacob’s Ladder of Letters.

I absolutely treasure the tradition of sending out holiday cards, letters, and pictures in December, but I could never figure out how to display them in a way that was meaningful but not messy. Inspired by a few holiday card displays on sale at Etsy.com, my Jacob’s Ladder of Letters did the trick. Here’s what I did:
1) Used chainnose pliers to bend a piece of 20-gauge craft wire into a triangle, then used 24-gauge wire to securely wrap the ends together.
2) Secured the end of a long length of ribbon to the wire triangle with a button and thread.
3) Installed a 3M Command Strip Hook upside down on the back of a door and anchored the wire triangle in the arch of the hook.
4) Flipped the ribbon over the front of the door so that it reached almost to the floor, then used wooden clothes pins to secure cards to the ribbon on both sides of the door.

I found that Jacob’s Ladder of Letters also works great for birthday cards. Thanks for sharing your stuff, Linda!

And speaking of birthdays, last week Friday was mine, so it was time to dream up another cake to decorate. Those who know me well know that there is a special place in my heart for my favorite Muppet, Cookie Monster. This year, I decided it was time to give my sweet-toothed hero an equally sweet homage, and below is the result.

So that’s what I’ve been working on so far in 2009. Since this post is already long enough, I’ll give you a glimpse of near-future projects in my post next week Monday. Stay tuned!

Register for Bead&Button Show classes, starting tomorrow!

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:27:00 GMT

Since I began making jewelry for BeadStyle about 6 months ago, I have taken to heading the wirework projects we publish each issue. I love the architectural look of wirework and the fact that silver and gold go with any outfit!

So when the Bead&Button Show class catalog came out, I was naturally drawn to the wirework classes. I had trouble choosing, but I finally settled on the Free-Form Wire Pendant class by Kate Richbourg (B09522). Whenever I browse Etsy.com, I find myself drooling over similar pendants that capture all kinds of stone and crystal inclusions. It will be wonderful to learn for myself how to create a wire armature and embellish it with beads.

Bead&Button Show class registration starts tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 13, and I’m all ready to sign up for Kate’s class and one other. You too can register for classes tomorrow. Just go to BeadAndButtonShow.com for full details and directions!

Have you taken the Handmade Pledge?

Stacy Hillmer — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:30:00 GMT

If you’ve ever shopped etsy.com, you may have seen the logo at left proudly displayed on your favorite vendor’s page. You may have also seen it on the business cards of local artisans. And it's possible one of your friends has mentioned taking the Pledge, hinting that this should inform whatever gift you choose for her this year. So what exactly is the “Handmade Pledge”?

The Handmade Pledge is the mantra of buyhandmade.org, and simply says, “I pledge to buy handmade this holiday season, and request that others do the same for me.” Why would one pledge this? Buyhandmade.org gives three really good reasons:

1) “Buying handmade makes for better gift-giving” – When you give a handmade gift, you give something truly unique. The recipient of the gift won’t see anyone else wearing the same sweater, carrying the same purse, or bragging about the same artwork. Handmade gifts are also very often customizable, which means you give a gift that is personal and meaningful, not mass produced.
2) “Buying handmade is better for people” – In today’s market, we are encouraged to be consumers, not creators. We buy what someone else has determined we will like, never discovering our own personal tastes or exploring our creativity. Buying handmade supports people who have chosen to create, and it also stokes your own creativity as you being to wonder, “What handmade gift could I make?”
3) “Buying handmade is better for the environment” – Mass production contributes to all kinds of pollution, but artisans are very aware of how their goods affect their environment (especially since they often work in the environment of their home, where they may live with spouses, children, and pets). Also, many artisans incorporate found objects (i.e., junk they’ve made into gems) and recycled materials into their work, another eco-incentive.

So are you ready to take the Handmade Pledge? Just go to www.buyhandmade.org and fill out the pledge form to the right. As of this writing, 31, 787 people have taken the pledge. To get started on your handmade holiday, check out the Web sites of some of the other folks who have taken the pledge before you. Many are artisans just waiting to help you give gifts that are straight from the heart.

If you've taken the Pledge before, I'd love to hear what you did to make your holiday handmade. Also, any tips for new pledgers would be greatly appreciated! Please leave comments below!