The Queer Etsy Street team has been featured in Curve Magazine's 20th anniversary issue! There's a great section in the mag about eco-queers and several team members are in an article about the Queer Craft movement called "Crafty Queers"! A sweet read for a Summer afternoon. The Article starts on Page 34.

http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=39981

Team Challenge: Orange!!

Continuing with our new team activity, monthly design challenges, we are proud to present June's theme: the color Orange!

First up is this bright Orange Glass Seed Bead Wrap Around Bracelet, submitted by ellesbeads. An accessory like this one is sure to liven up any summer outfit.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50297745/orange-glass-seed-bead-wrap-around

EnlightenedArtisan looks into the eye of a flame-orange sunflower in this Sun and Moon in a Sunflower Handpainted Stone.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50708598/sun-and-moon-in-a-sunflower-handpainted

GalleriaDiGiani has created a beautiful and versatile Orange and White Agate with Carnelian Necklace and Earring Set. According to Giani, the wonderful shades in these stones bring to mind orange creamsicles, and have a "fun, flirty and sassy" appeal to them.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50482640/orange-and-white-agate-with-carnelian

Make a bold yet beautiful statement at work with Gilliauna's Beaded Badge Lanyard - Orange Crush. Oranges, golds and black come together in this lovely accessory.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50429314/beaded-badge-lanyard-orange-crush

Make your hair happy by wearing this lovely Orange Hemp Headband by HempHelpers.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50476859/orange-hemp-headband

You can complete your hemp ensemble with MikesHempBracelets' White Hemp Bracelet with Orange Beads.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50479844/white-hemp-bracelet-with-orange-beads

Paper and wire come together beautifully in this YuzuCocktail Washi Paper and Wire Circles Necklace.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50228686/yuzucocktail-washi-paper-and-wire

From RamshackleStudio we see the deeper, darker side of orange in this Handmade Wood Pendant with Metal Accents (Silver Moon).

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50531644/handmade-wood-pendant-with-metal-accents

You can have your oranges and wear them too with Sbdesign's Bowl of Gold - Orange Pendant.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50565348/bowl-of-gold-orange-pendant

"Summerize" your seating with these Pillows - Orange and White Floral - Set of 2 - 16-inch by ThomasSaylorDesigns.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/50472090/pillows-set-of-2-orange-and-white-floral

Once you put on Bunnykissd's Afro Disco Chick Necklace you're sure to be ready to hit the town and boogie down!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/49991294/afro-disco-chick-necklace

The Men of Etsy Street Team Gets a Storque Article

Better late than never, here's a link to a great Father's Day article in the Storque written by Queer Etsy Street Team member GalleriaDiGiani. Along with being an active member of our team, Giani is also the leader of the Men of Etsy team.

The article, entitled "Fathers and Sons: The Men of Etsy Team Shares Inspiration" , includes several stories relating to fathers, grandfathers, and sons as told to Giani by team members.

Bravo, Giani, for a very well-written and touching article!

First Ever Etsy Pride Article!

Team leader QueenofQueens has penned the first ever official Gay Pride Article on etsy's Storque blog. The article features gorgeous work and relevant thoughts from many Queer Esty Street Team members! Take a peek and happy pride month!

The Queer Team Gets a Link in a Great Storque Article

Acclaimed Wicked author Gregory Maguire who, with his husband, is the father of three beautiful adopted children, was interviewed for a Storque article about Father's Day. His story, which emphasizes the importance of letting those in your life know how much they mean to you, is touching and well worth taking the time to read.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/handmade-life/fathers-day-with-gregory-maguire-author-of-wicked-8853/

The bonus for us is that, at the bottom of the piece, there is a link to join the Queer Etsy Team! Along with the article that queenofqueens is writing and the one that GalleriaDiGiani has written (and is anxiously awaiting publication of!), this should bring our team lots of positive attention.

Big queer thanks to Etsy blog writer Julie for including us in her article!

Spotlight on Queer Team Member HempHelpers!

HempHelpers interviewed by enlightenedartisan

What sorts of things do you offer in your shop?

Typical hippie gear. All my jewelry and accessories are made with hemp. I have necklaces, branklets (my own category, just referring to items that can be worn as bracelets or anklets), head bands, belts, key chains, and clipcritters (little pals made with beads and hemp that have alligator clips). Nearly all these items also have alligator clips, for both strong secure clasp, and for those that partake, an easy way to prevent burned fingers and lips ;)I also offer art, stash jars, and tie dye clothing.

How did you first start selling on etsy? How long have you been selling? Do you sell anywhere else?

I heard about it from a friend, and immediately jumped on the band wagon. I started crafting in January of 09, and went to Rothbury that summer to sell my wares out of baskets. Shortly after that I heard about etsy, which is the only place I was selling for a while. I am now currently in a few headshops and art stores around Michigan. I’m getting close to my one year anniversary of my shop opening!!

Tell us a little about your typical creative process and how you go about making your work. What kinds of steps do you usually go through?

It varies, sometimes I pick out the center bead or focal point and work around it, or I’ll pick out the hemp colors and figure out which bead goes best with it. From there I take in account my desired client, male/female/unisex, type of knot to use, and overall size of the piece. I work in a social atmosphere; good company helps you produce good products! It helps you be more at ease and relaxed, and not takes mistakes as seriously. Nothing in the world is perfect, and imperfections just make each piece more unique. This goes for my other crafts too, not just the hemp crafting. Being social and feeding off other people’s good vibes really inspires me.

What are your favorite materials to work with?

Hemp is my number one favorite. I use it exclusively for all my jewelry and accessories. In addition to that, I love to tie dye, paint, and draw. I will be learning how to work glass and make clothing in the near future too.

Are there other creative projects you are involved in outside of yourwork in your etsy shop?

I will be starting to try my hand at glass working. Lampworking and glass blowing, once I get it down pat you’ll be sure to see my work in my shop!

Besides art/crafty stuff, what else do you like doing in your free time?

Hmm, tough question. My spare time is when I do all my crafty stuff. But now that it’s summer time, I plan to spend the warm days with friends, music, and peace.

Does your queer identity come into play in your work?

Sometimes it does. Mostly my hippie identity rules the grounds, but I think that was spurred by my queeritude. I learned respect and understanding of different ways of life from being gay, and I use that for motivation when I work. But I have made quite a few rainbow pieces intentionally because I was gay.

What are your hopes for the Queer Etsy Street Team? What brought you to join?

I love the feeling of belonging with people. And how the slightest similarity in people can bring all types of different backgrounds together. I love the welcoming atmosphere the queer team has. I hope to become a productive member of the team, providing input and having fun. I think its great what the team does and I am proud to start being a part of it.

Illegal Wedding Fair in NYC

If you find yourself in New York City this Sunday afternoon, you might like to check out the Illegal Wedding Fair being held to benefit Marriage Equality NY. Advance tickets are being offered, but a limited number will also be available at the door. Please see the website here for info:
http://http//www.illegalweddingfair.com/IWF/IWF___home.html

Cocktails, hors d'oevres, wedding cake and champagne will be offered, and numerous speakers and vendors will be present. Beccijo, of The Enchanted Cupboard (http://www.etsy.com/shop/theenchantedcupboard), will also be there with her wooden cake toppers, and has created this etsy treasury to promote the fair:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4bfc802f354f6d91f5c04b87/illegal-wedding-fair-nyc

If you can't make it to the fair, please visit Beccijo's treasury and show it some love. Happy weekend, everyone. Marriage equality for all!

Team Challenge: RED!

We've started a new tradition in the Queer Etsy Street Team...a monthly challenge (credit Judah of greenmandesigns for the wonderful idea)! Each month we will, as a team, decide upon a theme for the challenge, and any team members who would like to participate will create and list an item in their Etsy shop incorporating that theme.

To help get us into the swing of things, we've decided to use the colors of the rainbow flag for our first six challenges. Without further ado, then, on with the Red Challenge!

bowersstudio has offered us this beautiful Red Heart Pendant Brecciated Jasper in Sterling Silver: "A special heart for that one true love." Be sure to read the wonderful story of the miner and his beautiful love when you check out this lovely piece.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/47858038/red-heart-pendant-brecciated-jasper-in

From BunnyKissd we have a Red Hot Bracelet done in hemp the color of pale fire. Bunny has added a red, orange and yellow swirl bead to really make this fun bracelet pop!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48398617/red-hot-bracelet

This little Bright Red Grinning Alien Lampwork Glass Bead from CrowbirdieBeads has just landed in our challenge from some distant planet, and he obviously had a very fun trip! According to Crowbirdie, he's very friendly and just needs a hug!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48270623/bright-red-grinning-alien-lampwork-glass

ellesbeads obviously knows that ladybugs bring good luck, so she's sent us a pair of bright and lively Red Wood and Crystal Ladybug Earrings to help us all find good fortune.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/47111723/red-wood-and-crystal-ladybug-earrings

What do ladybugs do in their spare time? Why, they garden, of course! EnlightenedArtisan's Handpainted Stone Ladybug Garden with Handmade Paper Flowers gives a glimpse into the secret, colorful world of ladybug horticulture.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48539245/ladybug-garden-handpainted-stones-and

GalleriaDiGiani artfully combines beautiful red and silver beads with a functional magnifying glass pendant to create this unique and useful Magnifying Glass Pendant with Carnelian necklace.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48372633/magnifying-glass-pendant-with-carnelian

With Gilliauna's Handmade Badge Lanyard - Raspberries and Cream you'll never lose your badge and you'll always be in beautiful style! Raspberry red beads and cream glass pearls are sure to make you a hit at the office.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48307842/handmade-badge-lanyard-raspberries-and

Totally unique and very classy is greenmandesigns Red Queen Ikon mixed media figure. Barbie (here, repurposed and upscaled) has never looked so hot! Plastered, papered, painted and dyed...have a look and she's sure to wow you like the Queen she is.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48273801/red-queen-ikon

MikesHempBracelets offers us the healing properties of carnelian beads surrounded by clean, natural hemp in this Hemp and Carnelian Combo bracelet and earring set.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48292402/hemp-and-carnelian-combo

"Left of Red" is where we find this gorgeous Handmade Wood Pendant with Aluminum Accents - Left of Red from RamshackleStudio. Bloodwood, Patagonian Rosewood, Aluminum and White Oak combine to make a stunning pendant strung on an adjustable leather cord.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/48138776/handmade-wood-pendant-with-aluminum

Chilly ankles? Never, if you have RandeeAnne's fuzzy, warm Handknit Leg / Ankle / Arm Warmers in your wardrobe. In shades of pink, burgundy, gold, navy and forest green, they are sure to complement any outfit.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/43137730/handknit-leg-ankle-arm-warmers

Our Own Wildheather Was Featured In a Blog!

Good Morning! Queer Etsy Street Team is proud to announce that our very own jewelry artisan, Wildheather (http://www.etsy.com/shop/Wildheather) has been featured in the Painted Lady Fingers blog.

http://paintedladyfingers.blogspot.com/2010/05/conversation-with-wild-heather.html

In a wonderful interview, she discusses how nature inspires the pieces she creates, describes her jewelry-making process, and introduces us all to her animal companions, Cocoa, Pagan and Willie.

Please take a moment to visit the Painted Lady Fingers blog to read Wildheather's interview and see some adorable photos of her furry friends. Way to go, Heather!!

Spotlight on Queer Team member Sprightly Strands Boutique

Sprightly Strands interviewed by fauxsure

What sorts of things do you offer in your shop?
Handmade hair accessories!

How did you first start selling on etsy? How long have you been selling? Do you sell anywhere else?
My signature "style" ALWAYS includes something big and funky in my hair, and I was always spending so much on hair accessories so one day I opted to start making them myself. Friends started asking me about buying them and once it dawned on me that I could start making a little cash from my craft. I've been selling regularly for about 2 months. The only places besides Etsy that I sell are in my apartment (always to friends who want to swing by and snag a few goodies), and I just did my first craft show on April 17th. It was such a huge success that I plan on attending many more!



Tell us a little about your typical creative process and how you go about making your work. What kinds of steps do you usually go through?
Inspiration is key for me. The people in my life are such unique individuals and they are what inspire me. I grab materials every chance I get and channel that inspiration into creating my pieces.

What are your favorite materials to work with?
Feathers (cruelty-free, of course), appliqués, and anything with skulls, texture, or sparkle! I've also been known to use random things that I find around my apartment to upcycle (old scrubs from a receptionist job I had, leftover material from chair cushions, etc.)



Are there other creative projects you are involved in outside of your work in your etsy shop?
I'm a hardcore queer activist, and I find that my creativity is crucial to coming up with new ways to spread awareness, organize protests, and inspire others to take an active stance in queer politics.

Besides art/ crafty stuff, what else do you like doing in your free time?
Activism, singing, playing guitar, getting tattoos, hanging out with my cats, and learning.



Does your queer identity come into play in your work?
Absolutely, particularly from an activist perspective. Almost all of my pieces are inspired by lovely queers in my life, and a percentage of each sale that I make goes to the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

What are your hopes for the Queer Etsy Street Team? What brought you to join?
I just hope that the QEST can continue to be such a wonderful, supportive community. That's what brought me to it in the first place! :)