Newbie Tuesday

Wordless Wednesday -- Featuring Firelilly Jewelry

Whimsical Stationery and Artwork by Le Papier Designs

Good Monday to you! It's the beginning of the work week, and the end of a month. Hard to believe we're half way through 2008, isn't it?

I had mentioned in a previous post, that we would be doing things a little differently here on The Downtown Boutique. We no longer have "Tots on Tuesdays", but we will still be featuring some fabulous artists and crafters and giving away some wonderful gifts. We will be doing reviews on products, and even giving some of them away!

So today, we will be featuring Vana of Le Papier Designs. At Le Papier Designs, you will find one of a kind customized + handmade stationery and invitations, as well as fresh and whimsical artwork.

Vana started "drawing" when she was 3-4 and according to her parents there was something in those early drawings that helped set the stage for the type of work she does now. Vana says she actually "mastered" it in high school during her preparation to be accepted to the architecture school.

Vana loves to cook and has just started to learn how to knit (but this is far from a talent-more like a hobby). Living in Europe for most of her life helped her become fluent in Italian, French, Greek and of course Albanian.



The reason Vana started selling on Etsy is because she wanted to find a creative outlet to relieve herself from the stress of a busy day (which she is sure is the same reason why a lot of others started selling on Etsy) and pick up on her creative side. Vana says, "I love being a mom and working part time from home has been such a huge blessing. But at times I found myself doing the same things over and over again and had developed a routine....Selling on Etsy has kept my creativity going. I would say if you do something out of love and passion you will succeed no matter what. Plus I think I might be a bit too determined. There are so many creative people selling on Etsy which have inspired me a lot. And the positive feedback from the client is always a nice bust of confidence and helps me to keep doing what I do."

Typically, about 95% of Vana's orders request custom prints. "And this is the part I love the most. I know it makes a huge difference and sets me apart from other sellers who might offer children silhouette artwork but not the option to customize the silhouettes."

Since becoming a mom, Vana has kept working on her profession part time from home. At times she misses being part of the office life, but says it helps to stop by every week for a couple of hours. On the other side, the blessing of being home with your child to watch him grow is truly priceless and she wouldn't trade it for anything.

Vana loves going on walks with her family in the late afternoon. It's the best thing and helps them catch up before the end of the day. Playing at the park with her 3 year old is fun as well. If she wants to take a moment for herself, she likes going to the local coffee shop, sipping coffee and reading something or finishing up a pencil rendering.

I asked Vana, if she could take a month's vacation anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why? This is what she said: "There is no place like home....and I don't mean home here in the US but the home I grew up in Southern Albania. My parents live by the most pristine beaches. Every year we spend 2-3 weeks with them. For a change I would love to visit Southern France (the French Riviera) and Northern Italy as part of my vacation. It would have to be by the beach though as the best vacation for me has to have the beach in it."

Vana, thank you so much for taking the time to "chat" with me, and to give our readers a little glimpse of your life and your business.

Le Papier Designs is giving away a fun, Personalized Silhouette Print for a boy or girl. This is an 8x10 print, and Vana will personalize either the boy print or the girl print, just for you.

To win this print, please go to Le Papier Designs and take a look around. Then come back and leave a comment about which of her products is your favorite. (My favorites? Click HERE. And HERE.)

Deadline to enter is Sunday, July 6th. We will draw a winner on Monday, July 7th. Please be sure to only leave one comment and please leave a valid email address.

If you mention this giveaway in your blog, please send me the link to your blog, and you will receive an additional entry.
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Don't forget, if you own an Etsy shop, you can enter to win one of two EtsyMini Advertising Spots here on The Downtown Boutique.

Also, you can enter to win a gorgeous piece of jewelry, valued at up to $25, from Moondog Cottage.

Take care!
Angie

Friday Features No. 18 -- Featuring Moondog Cottage

Happy Friday! I hope everyone is doing well, and ready for the weekend. Hubby is out getting baby food, batteries for our computer mouse, and Velveeta cheese at Target, so I still have a little time before he gets home and we order Chinese. Once Chinese is ordered, and we've settled in to our movie and family night, there will be no more time to get online to do my Friday Feature!

Today, we are featuring on of The Downtown Boutique's sponsors, Sheri, from Moondog Cottage. If you haven't seen Sheri's wares, you MUST take a look, because she has some gorgeous heirloom quality pieces! If you have loved ones that you want to remember in a really special way, she can create gorgeous pieces of jewelry, featuring photos of those loved ones.

Here's more about Sheri and Moondog Cottage:

TDB: What got you to start creating your beautiful keepsake pieces?
Sheri: Years ago I went to a small town's craft show and a lady had these little pins made with pictures encased in glass. I've always loved Halloween and bought one with a Jack-O-Lantern in it. For years I tried to figure out where she got the little "frame" and how she made this tiny glass picture pin. Finally about a year ago I saw another charm similar to my beloved Jack-O-Lantern pin and realized it wasn't a small frame, it was two pieces of glass that had been hand soldered together! Once I knew what it was I was determined to learn how to do it myself. I went to a local Stained Glass shop and took some lessons on soldering and once I had that mastered, took some lessons at another shop on the basics of jewelry making so I could combine the two for unique jewelry pieces.

TDB: What other sorts of crafting do you enjoy?
Sheri: I've always loved doing anything creative. I guess I get that from my mother. She's extremely creative and makes furniture, wreaths, and all types of craft items and has her own business, Tole Mountain. Besides making jewelry I really enjoy photography and interior decorating also. I've also dabbled in writing and have had some greeting cards published and a story in Chicken Soup To Inspire a Woman's Soul.

TDB: If you could learn some new skill, what would it be?
Sheri: Wow, that's a hard one. I'm always thinking if I had more TIME I would love to learn so many things... One thing I've regretted is that I never learned how to play a musical instrument. I would love to know how to play the piano!

TDB: Where do you sell your jewelry besides your website?
Sheri: Right now I mainly just sell from my website. I have had great PR in my area though with local newspapers writing articles about me, so some local clients have actually came to meet with me to discuss designing jewelry from their old photos. I've had clients from Florida to California. It's been so much fun getting to know my clients and making new friends along the way!

TDB: What is your best advice to someone who is just starting their own online business, selling their own creations?
Sheri: I think it's so important to not get down if things don't take off right away. You have to hang in there and realize it's a slow process. You also have to look at different ways to get your name out there and different ways to sell. Even though I have been mainly selling from my website, I am going to also get on Etsy and look into local shows. I think you have to look at your business from all angles and try many ways to sell and to get recognition.

TDB: Where do you get your inspiration for your pieces?
Sheri: Most of the time I just get out all of my beads and crystals and jewelry findings and see what comes together. I may decide I want to use a certain type of beads and so I will carry them around my other crystals etc. and see what pops out to me that will look good with them. I rarely have something definate in mind when I start. I just see where my jewelry pieces take me and go with the flow. Sometimes it comes together smoothly and sometimes I'll take something apart a few times until I feel it's "right". It's so wonderful when a piece is done and you think "wow, this looks beautiful!"

TDB: How did you come up with your business name, Moondog Cottage?
Sheri: As I said, I like to write. I wrote a children's story called Moondog several years ago for my mother. It was about her beloved dog Princess. I always liked the name. As for Cottage, I'm very much a Cottage Industry business, working from home, so the two went together! I get lots of comments on the name. People love it. One thing I've definately learned is that you need to name your business so people really remember it. You want your name to stick out in a sea of business names!

Wow Sheri! It really seems like you are living a full and content life! I would love to read your stories sometime. Thank you for sharing such wonderful things about you.

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For today's giveaway, Sheri has offered up anything from her shop, up to $25. So, go and take a look at her website, Moondog Cottage, and then come back here and tell us what you just love.

One comment per person please, and be sure to leave a valid email address, so that we can get ahold of you if you win.

Deadline to enter is Thursday, July 3rd at Midnight PST.

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Don't forget to enter to win an EtsyMini advertising spot, right here on The Downtown Boutique! Deadline to enter is Friday July 11th at Midnight PST.

Two Free EtsyMini Ad Spots to be Given Away!

Yes, that's right, we will be giving away TWO FREE EtsyMini Ad Spots here on The Downtown Boutique. Where do they go, you ask? They will be placed just under the banner ads on the left hand side of the blog.

Why is this a big deal, you ask? Because if you own an Etsy shop, this is a great way to showcase up to SIX items from your shop! You get to choose which six items will be showcased too!

Yes, this is only for people who own an Etsy shop. Sorry...no discrimination intended. I normally sell EtsyMini ad space, and I wanted to give it a little boost by giving two spots away.

Enter to win, by leaving a comment and letting me know how to find YOUR Etsy shop! Deadline to enter is Friday, July 11th at Midnight PST. We will draw a winner on Saturday, July 12th.

No shops with vulgar, obscene, profane, or otherwise offensive items please. We are a family friendly blog. Thank you.

Ways to Advertise on The Downtown Boutique

It's been awhile since I've let you know about advertising here on The Downtown Boutique. I've come up with a few ways to get a lot of people a lot of exposure.

One of the ways I'm exposing the world to some fabulous handmade creations, is through the EtsyMinis on the right hand side of the blog. I have three of them, where I change the content on a daily basis, except on weekends. On weekends, they tend to stay up a little longer, because that's family time for us. I try to stay off of the computer on weekends.

I am going to start offering EtsyMini ad space this week. We have MORE than enough room for them, so I figure we can put in five EtsyMinis with 6 products each. Those spots will go for $20 each. They will stay up for a whole month. They will change as long as you sell and re-list items. If you're interested in purchasing one of these ad spots, please email me.

The other ways you can advertise can be found on our Rio Oso Designs blog.

***Please remember: All advertising is subject to our approval. We reserve the right to refuse service to any shop or website that contains vulgar, obscene, or or otherwise offensive items in it. The Downtown Boutique is a family-friendly environment, and we would like to keep it that way.

Tots on Tuesdays No. 6 -- Featuring Ramsden Designs

Happy Tuesday! It's time again for "Tots on Tuesdays". This week, our featured artist is actually someone who wrote me and asked if I would like to feature her. I took one look at her work, and said "Absolutely!".

Jacqui lives in Perth, Australia, and is the creative mind and force behind Ramsden Designs. Originally created for the little girl market Jacquie was surprised to discover her designs were admired by girls aged 3 to 37. The bright pinks, greens and blues used in her illustrations really grabbed their attention. Jacquie designs and sews all her creations starting with an illustration she prints on to quality cotton fabric and then mixes and matches coordinating fabric to create unique and one of a kind designs.



You can read more about Jacqui in her Etsy profile, on her blog, or at her website.




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Jacqui has generously offered to give away this adorable zippered coin purse.

To Enter: Please go to Jacqui's Etsy Shop or Website, look around, then come back here and comment on which of her products you love.

Please leave only one comment per person. You must have a valid email address, or other easy way to find you. If we can't get ahold of you easily, we will draw for another winner. This giveaway is open worldwide! Deadline to enter is Monday, March 31 at Midnight PST.

Have a great day! Don't forget to scroll down to enter to win the notecards and magnets from Dirty Pretty Things. Then scroll down one more time to the 3rd post down, to enter to win FREE advertising for a month, here on The Downtown Boutique!!!

Also, don't forget to check out our sponsor's shops on the left and right of this blog. Have you seen the Etsy Mini's on the right hand sidebar? They change every day, and who knows, you might see something you'd love to buy!

See ya!

Angie