Saturday, July 30, 2011

Spotlight on Ottoline's Oddities

Welcome to another episode of the Queer Etsy Street Team's Spotlight On...!  This time, we're featuring another great vintage-themed shop...


Her shop is full of vintage clothing and accessories, antique paper ephemera, handmade sachets (lavender, cinnamon, or anise scented), and upcycled trinkets. And even better, she donates 10% of her monthly proceeds to Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit refuge for former farm animals!  How cool is that!?  But let's get into the interview...

What sorts of things do you offer in your shop?
I specialize in vintage ladies’ wares, paper ephemera, and items handmade using vintage components (hollow book safes and sachets for the most part).

How did you first start selling on Etsy? How long have you been selling?
I’ve been an Etsy fan for several years. When the results of various projects of mine started to pile up I decided to open a store of my very own.
I created my shop in February 2010, but didn’t start listing until December.



Woodland Life Vintage Ephemera

What are your favorite materials to work with?
I adore old books, lace, and chenille.

What got you interested in your craft?
I’ve been partial to vintage clothing and accessories for as long as I can remember. More than half of my wardrobe consists of vintage items. The quality and variety can’t be beat!
Old books make me happy, and turning them into quirky storage spaces is a great way to have more of them in my life.
And as for the sachets, who doesn’t like sweet smelling drawers?



Vintage Mod Floral House Dress

Are there other creative projects you are involved in outside of your work in your Etsy shop?
I’ve been experimenting a bit with photography, and I always love to make a mess in the kitchen!

Besides art/crafty stuff, what else do you like doing in your free time?
I’m the business liaison for my neighborhood citizens association, a Planned Parenthood clinic escort, and I organize a monthly vegan baking swap. I read quite a bit--fantasy-ish interstitial fiction for the most part--, and I garden. The lavender I use in my sachets is homegrown!


Handmade Lavender Sachets: Lavender Fields Forever

Does your queer identity come into play in your work?
All facets of my identity contribute to my interactions with the world in one way or another, but I’m not quite certain how this specific part impacts things.

Is there any advice you have for our readers?
Oh, gosh. I’m still trying to work things out for myself. Hmm. I suppose my advice is to do just that: experiment with different things and find out what works for YOU.

Be sure to look for Ottoline on facebook and twitter, and if you have another other questions, she can be contacted at ottolinesoddities@gmail.com or via Etsy of course!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Spotlight on OldSkoolProductions

I love this shop!  It's like she's been rummaging in my mom's attic and pulling out the best stuff!  She's also in the process of opening a supplies shop...details to come soon!


What sorts of things do you offer in your shop? A wide variety of vintage and antique items, but I specialize in 80's pop culture like video games, toys, and more.

How did you first start selling on Etsy? How long have you been selling? Do you sell anywhere else? For as long as I can remember I've been selling stuff on Ebay. When I came across Etsy less than a year ago, I knew I had to open shop. I still sell on Ebay and flea markets from time to time but I love Etsy and I devote most of my time to making my shop the best that it can be.


Mikasa Posy Parade Bowl

What are your favorite materials to work with? Anything vintage!

What got you interested in your craft? I love old stuff! I like to learn the story behind items, and I think its awesome when you can take something someone once cherished and give it a new life.


Vintage 1973 Tea Towel Calendar Bird Design

Are there other creative projects you are involved in outside of your work in your Etsy shop?  I'm always doing something. Right now I am working on making my backyard the Oasis I always wanted.

Besides art/crafty stuff, what else do you like doing in your free time? I enjoy spending time with my lovely girlfriend, and our four legged babies. I also love being outdoors, at the beach, playing games, watching movies, or just chillin with some tunes.


Vintage Lot of 2 Yellow Pillowcases Fabric

Does your queer identity come into play in your work? I think my queer identity makes me who I am. I find that being a butch, helps me relate to a broad spectrum of people, and the items I sell appeal to men and women alike.

Is there any advice you have for our readers? If you are passionate about something, then go for it. Never let anyone or anything stand in the way of your dreams.


You can also check out OldSkoolProductions at facebook by following this link here: www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Skool-Productions/176631815694532

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Sunshine & Rainbows!

Our May challenge slipped into June and before we knew it was July!  With all the Pride activities last month, it took us a bit to get our acts together, but it was worth the wait!  Our *SPRING* Challenge entries all fit the theme:  Sunshine & Rainbows!


Crystal Rainbow Bracelet in Silver and Pearls

by Gilliauna



Cute Sunshine & Rainbow on a Rock

by BunnyKissd



Dorothy Dragon

by catbirdcraft



Rainbow meadow landscape in the sun lampwork glass focal bead

by CrowbirdieBeads



Rainbow wine glass jewelry

by EightCatDesign



Gay Pride earrings rainbow glass with sterling silver

by EightCatDesign

And here's a colorful & sunshiny treasury including the lovelies above, and some other member listings that fit the theme...


Be sure to check it out and leave a comment!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Spotlight on ideology

Welcome to another Queer Etsy Street Team member interview. This time, we shine our Spotlight on...


What sorts of things do you offer in your shop? I offer handmade jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and pendants.

How did you first start selling on Etsy? How long have you been selling? Do you sell anywhere else? I first starting selling on Etsy and selling my handcrafted jewelry in general in October 2010. Etsy is my primary source for selling my items, but I also sell outside of the Internet through word of mouth, as well. You can keep posted on my shop and any other places I may sell via my Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/ideologyart and the ideology Twitter account at www.twitter.com/ideologyart


Light Violet and Dark Purple Pendant Necklace

What are your favorite materials to work with? I love working with semi-precious gemstones, crystals, and handcrafted glass beads.

What got you interested in your craft? I have always been interested in creating jewelry and have done so as a hobby for quite some time before beginning to sell my creations. I love how jewelry can work for people of all ages to express their individuality.


Green & Blue Amazonite Semi-precious Gemstone Earrings

Are there other creative projects you are involved in outside of your work in your Etsy shop? In addition to my Etsy shop, I also paint, draw, write, and bake (often vegan) and enjoy being creative in any way possible in my life.

Besides art/crafty stuff, what else do you like doing in your free time? I also enjoy going to see live music, support local artists and artisans, go to festivals, learn about different cultures and subcultures, and spend time with my family, friends, and animal companions.

Does your queer identity come into play in your work? In part because of my queer identity, I consider myself very open-minded and accepting of various lifestyles and living situations. I consider my shop open to all people and am always open to suggestions, advice, and comments.


Rainbow and Black Handcrafted Glass Beaded Bracelet

Is there any advice you have for our readers? Explore your creativity in any way you can - however small or large - and use it for the better good in any way you can. :)

Friday, July 1, 2011

And the winner is....

I am so excited! I'm off to random.org to select the winner of our LGBT Pride Giveaway! I hope it's me, even though I donated, some of the other stuff was so cool!

YAY!!! The winner is StephMuji! Congrats, Steph! I'll be sending you an email right now, so keep your inbox open! ^o^

And many thanks to everyone who commented for your love & support!

Sunny hugs & bunny kisses,
~Diana