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!

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. :)

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

New Prizes Added!

Two new prizes have been added to the booty for our LGBT Pride Month Giveaway!


Cloud Pillow with Love from FeatheredNestStudio


Multicolor Czech Glass Bracelet from Livingatnight
Let Your Love Shine 4x6 Postcard
And here is my contribution to the prize pack:

Be sure to head over to the MAIN ENTRY to see how to win! CLICK HERE!

LGBT Pride Giveaway!

In celebration of LGBT Pride month, and in honor of the Queer Etsy Team reaching the milestone of 700 facebook fans, we've decided to host a jam-packed prize giveaway!  Just look at some of the goodies you could win...


No, your eyes do NOT decieve you!  All that and more could be yours as our way of thanking you for your support!  Let's see the details of what your prize will include...

• Whimsical Fine Art Giclee Print Big Gay Unicorn from Michelley at QueenofQueens
• Night Rainbow lampwork bead pendant necklace from Lauren at CrowbirdieBeads
• Beautiful White Coral from Jim at kuberacove
• $30 Gift Certificate from Lisa at BunnyBear Designs and DragonFish Antiquities
• Obama Rainbow Yiddish t-shirt from jerise
• Music and Colors ACEO also from jerise
• Queer coaster set from Johnny at Jonathonwaynedesign
• Brotherly Love Beaded Rainbow Bookmark Charm from Gilliauna
• Pride-Themed Postcard from BunnyKissd at Faerie Garden Fancies
• Multicolor Czech Glass Bracelet from Livingatnight
• Cloud Pillow with Love from FeatheredNestStudio

That's over $150 worth of fabulous gay love!  And entering is SOOPER EASY!!!  Just comment on this blog post and be sure to include your email address so we can reach you if you win!

..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨)) Contest ends Thursday, June 30 at MIDNIGHT UTC! -:¦:-
((¸¸.·´ ..·´  The winner will be chosen randomly and announced on Friday, July 1st!
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*

But wait there's more!

You can get BONUS ENTRIES for doing any of the following...

1. Follow our blog and get ONE extra comment.
2. Blog about this giveaway and get TWO extra comments.
3. Follow QueerEtsy on Twitter & Tweet about this giveaway and get ONE extra comment.
4. Like QueerEtsy on Facebook and get ONE extra comment.

If you do any of the above let us know by leaving separate comments for each one. If you do any of them already, let us know in an extra comment. Please leave a separate comment for each of the bonus entries that you do or your comment will only count for one. The separate comments help us to stay organized & makes choosing a winner so much easier! If you have any questions please feel free to email me!

Spotlight on QuietMind

QuietMind is a wonderful shop featuring prayer beads, jewelry, and art, run by Brian Harrison who also maintains FoundAround, filled with vintage items and art & craft supplies, and BeadinAroundTheBlock, which has lots of bead and jewelry supplies.

Tell us how you first got started selling on Etsy? Have you been doing it long? Do you sell anywhere else, online or in person? I have been selling on Etsy for 3 years. I first focused on Beadin' then QuietMind and more recently have been adding inventory to FoundAround. My skull and skeleton line of jewelry is represented by Galleria de los Muertos in Phoenix, AZ and I belong to an Art/Vintage cooperative called Indie ArtHouse in Phoenix, AZ as well.


Wood Skull and Black Lapidolite Earrings
What are your favorite materials to work with? That is a hard one, I love working with so many different things that is why I make so many different things.

What got you interested in your craft? I have been creative all my life. Drawing, painting and making things has always been of interest to me.


Mixed Media Altered Art Work on 100 Year Old Window - Work in Progress
Are there other creative projects you are involved in outside of your work in your Etsy shop? I am currently working on a line of mixed media/altered art pieces that fall under the theme of Ancestors. I'm using old objects, family pictures, large format negatives and what ever else gets in my way.

Besides art/crafty stuff, what else do you like doing in your free time? I garden and have a pond. I also have 3 pet birds a Sun Conure named Radiance, a Jandee Conure named Buddy and a lovebird named Little Bird.


8 inch Strand of 12mm Lapis Blue Sodilite Coin Beads
Does your queer identity come into play in your work? I never given that any thought. I am who I am, open and out in every aspect of my life.

Is there any advice you have for our readers? Keep at it, things go well and poorly at times just keep at it.


Vintage Remberance Calvalier Wind Master Lighter

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Here we are in a new month!  The merry, merry month of May!  Our team members have busily worked all throughout April to come up with some new pieces to meet our challenge:  How Does Your Garden Grow?  And, oh, how colorful our gardens grow!

In bursts of luscious purple!

Anemone Print
by Greenman Designs
With leering green skulls and pale purple tulips...

Purple tulip skull earrings
by Arena Creative
With purple peonies all in a row!

Original Fabric Purple Peony half yard
by Feathered Nest Studio
With Lonely Hearts & Shrinking Violets...

Handpainted Teapot - Lonely Hearts & Shrinking Violets
by Queen of Queens
With swirls of vibrant rainbow!

Rainbow storm swirled tie dye colors lampwork glass focal bead
by Crowbirdie Beads
And with waiting faeries...

The flower faerie - Original Painting
by Catbird Craft
Be sure to check out the treasury filled with more garden goodies from our creative team!

Spotlight on KnittiGritti

What sorts of things do you offer in your shop? Hand knit accessories (scarves,hats, belts, etc), many of which are guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind

How did you first start selling on Etsy? How long have you been selling? Do you sell anywhere else? 1) I actually discovered Etsy through the Queer Team! Do you guys remember the article that Curve Magazine did about a year ago, where some of you were interviewed - I thought it was awesome, and found Etsy.com and YOU because of it!!! 2) I've been selling for almost a year now - I began last summer, just knitting on my own, but then my co-workers liked my designs so much, they began placing orders left and right, and I moved to Etsy for more visibility (and have met some great people along the way!). 3) I still get face to face orders, but always direct them to make their payments thru Etsy - to keep things organized for me.


BABY DIVA SET - Super Snuggly and Stylish Infant to Toddler Sized Cashmere Wool Hat and Scarf Set
What are your favorite materials to work with? I love all sorts of different materials/textures - but my fave is when I have the opportunity to incorporate woven fabric into my knits - it always gives an edgier Knitti -er Gritti -er look (lol)

What got you interested in your craft? I come from a very creative family and have always loved clothing, accessories, and putting my own spin on things - I just wonder what it will evolve into next!


POM POM DAIQUIRI - Shimmery Summer Wrap
Are there other creative projects you are involved in outside of your work in your Etsy shop? Everything I do ends up i my Etsy shop :)

Besides art/crafty stuff, what else do you like doing in your free time? Running around after my 3 kids, my lovely lady, and our 2 dogs. Plus I work full time in the banking field.


KISS ME, I'M IRISH - Glistening Green Rainbows Extra Long Medium Weight Spring Scarf
Does your queer identity come into play in your work? Hmm.. thats an interesting question. I wouldn't say in any OBVIOUS way - While anyone who knows me or reads my profile is made accessible to the fact that I am a Knitting Lesbian (lol) I don't have any rainbow patches on the brim of my hat or the trim of my scarves *wink* Maybe if we wanted to fit a stereotype, we could say that the bright "flamboyant* colors I use are a dead giveaway - but I think that would be kinda silly....


The ROXIE Over-Sized Hat: Refurbish Your Favorite Old Clothes
Is there any advice you have for our readers? Do what you love, take risks, and ENJOY YOURSELF!

You can also find KnittiGritti on facebook!

Diamonds & Raindrops Challenge

Our challenge for the month of March was Diamonds & Raindrops, and it was a tough one; we only had *2* participants, but they did an awesome job!

The first one to post her entry was That1Girl with her lovely lightweight earrings beaded with diamond-like drops of rain...

Earrings 1.2

And then we have a gorgeous necklace by BuniqueBeads inspired by one of my favorite movies, Labyrinth...

It's Only Forever

Give a big congrats to these two for rising to the challenge and then don't forget to visit our Diamonds & Raindrops Treasury; maybe one of your pieces made it in!

Spring Challenge Entries!

Here in Central NY, the piles & piles of snow are slowly shrinking, and you can actually see the ground in some places!  Many of us in the Queer Etsy Street Team are eager for warmer weather with green grass and lots of sun.  Therefore we selected a theme to reflect those desires:  SPRING!  The theme was so inspiring we had multiple entries from several people!  And I loveloveLOVE all these entries!


Macrame Parasol with Floral
by magnumrx


Silver Sunflower Earrings
by Sbdesign


Silver Chickadee Necklace
by Sbdesign


ACEO - Cherry Blossom Moon
by jerise


Little Flower Shaped Bowl
by mnjohn


Spring is Green Latticino Lampwork Glass Bird Bead Chain Necklace
by CrowbirdieBeads


Maiden Moon Spring Goddess
by altarspace


Easter Scene Incense Burner
by HempHelpers


Glowing Pastel Peace Incense Burner
by HempHelpers


Knitted silver rain earrings
by biggreenbeacon


Spring Fling vintage brooch necklace
by prettydebonair


Purple Pansy Love vintage brooch necklace
by prettydebonair


Gilded Lily vintage beaded necklace
by prettydebonair


Lilacs, Ivy, and Pearls Brooch
by BunnyKissd


Spring Purple and Rainbow Slouchy Hipster Hat
by laprincessa

And don't forget to visit the treasury too!

The QuEST for Spring!