Pieces of Home Mosaics Shop

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Featuring Karis and Dea

 
 
 
Featuring Karis and Dea
 
 
 
KayDea Crafts
 
 
What a Fun Shop!!!
 
These young ladies, a set of twin sisters from Portland Oregon, have wonderful items for children! Now, I am sooooo interested in shops for kids... because I am going to be a Nana! I really believe that children need handmade with love items in their lives. There is nothing better.... cuddling up with toy, wearing an item and giving Handmade!
 
Kids have so many items in their lives that move, sing, have cords and need batteries. Oh, what happened to pretending and using imagination! Well, your little muffin will surely enjoy what this shop has to offer!
 
Let's meet that gals of KayDea Crafts!
 
What do you sell?
 
We specialize in cute amigurumis, but basically cute is our niche. We branch out to a bunch of different crafts, sewing, paper, as well as knitting. If we think its cute and cool we do it.
 
 
 
How did you get started with Etsy?
 
We started doing local craft bazaars and we kept getting asked if we had an online store or if there was any way our customers could contact us later. And so we started our Etsy store to give our customers more options as well as build our fan and customer base.
 
 
When did you get interested in making your Art/Craft?
 
We started to learn how to crochet in high school and that let forth the flood of craftiness and creating. We have always been very frugal, so if we saw something we liked we would much rather try to make it ourselves. And upcylcing/sustainable materials was important to us too. It just grew. Like a giants, crafty, glittery, weed.
 
 
Where does your inspiration come from?
 
 
The fact that we never grew up. Dea works with young children and is inspired by their toys, clothes, and their ideas! Kids have the best ideas. Karis is a Japanese minor and likes to pull from Kawaii culture. Bows and glitter for the win.
 
 
Who taught you or how did you learn your art form?
 
 
Our grandma started teaching us when we were younger. When we got older the internet became our best friend. You can learn anything from the internet and youtube now a days.
 
 
Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?
 
 
In 5 years we will 25 or 26, it's hard to say where we are going to be, our lives are entering such a hectic period but we can say where we hope it will be.
We hope by that time we will be making consistent sales and be an "It" name on Etsy.
 
 
 How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?
 
 
That's a really good question. We are both college students who are also working part time jobs as well as looking to transfer to University. Crafting is our recharge, our cool down period. Any time we don't have school or work we are in our craft space doing what we want.
 
 
Is this a hobby, part-time job, or full-time job?
 
 
It's a hobby hoping to become a full time job. Just stay at home and make toys all day? We would be toy makers, best job title ever.
 
 
Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?
 
 
For Etsy we really make and sell what we like. For bazaars we do have a couple patterns that sell really well so we try to make a lot of those. But if we have a certain idea for a pattern or are getting multiple request for a certain item that's what we will make.
 
Where else can we find you online?
 
 
We are also hoping to start a podcast soon. We will host it from our blogger account.
 
 
Did you always want to have your own business?
 
 
Not really. We love making toys and don't have that many friends to give them to. It just happened that way. We had to start selling them. Because you can't really keep 100 plus toys around the house.
 
 
Any other thoughts you want to share with us?
 
 
I don't think so! Thank you for this opportunity to share our shop and gain some more exposure! 
 
Here is a sampling of items you will find in their shop!
Enjoy!!
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 Head on over to my shop and see what goodies you can find!
 
 
 

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Meet Lana Thibeault Owner of ChinaGalore

 
 
Meet Lana Thibeault
 
 
 
Owner of ChinaGalore
 
Lana's Shop is one of the best Vintage Shops I have seen! This Lady has amazing taste! If you Love Vintage this is the shop for you!
Outstanding pieces of History!
 
 
Sit back with cup of tea as you learn about Lana and her Shop!
 
My interview with Lana
 
 
What do you sell?
 
I sell a variety of things I personally love. From vintage china to home decor to Americana including Norman Rockwell. I specialize in the peculiar and strange and seek that out in my treasure hunting.
 
 
 
How did you get started with Etsy?
 
My niece has a shop on ETSY (Savvy Flair) and I had become frustrated with Ebay. She advised me to give Etsy a try and now I am working on expanding my shop and building a "someday retirement" business that will supplement my retirement income.
 
When did you get interested in Vintage items?
 
I got interested in vintage items from my auntie who lived in this huge three story farm house in southern KY. When I was a little girl, I love to roam through her home, trying on hats, and clothing and picking up each and every nick knack she possessed. Later, I received a wonderful hat from my other aunt that dated back to the 1920's . I still wear that hat on special occasions and it is my most prized possession. I fell in love with vintage and you will find it in every nick and cranny of my home.
 
Where does your inspiration come from?
 
I am inspired by the friends I have made on ETSY and especially by the customers who take time to get to know you and your shop. I only sell what I love so being a social person living on rustic property, I get inspired as I walk our hills and look at the awesome colors that surround us. We are richly blessed.
 
Who taught you about vintage items?
 
I am self taught and have learned most from researching and exploring other shops. I am blessed to have developed several close relationships on ETSY with other people in similar times of life. They have become not only my friends, but my supporters with both business and personal lives. ETSY fits my lifestyle and gives me a wonderful social outlet...
 
 
Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?
 
In five years, I hope that my shop will be a steady supplemental income in my retirement. I am coming up on my one year anniversary of my shop and am very pleased with the connections I have made and the people I have come to know. I want to continue to grow so that ETSY can someday be more of my full time job rather than part time.
 
 
How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?
 
I lead a very scheduled life. I know when to work around my part time job and family obligations. I am lucky because I have a wonderful husband, Joe, who is supportive of my endeavor. He pitches in around the house or runs errands for me to help me out when I need it. I check my shop daily, but hope to work more on it when I reach my "someday retirement."
 
 
Is this a hobby, part-time job, or full-time job?
 
Definitely part time at this point in time. I work another part time job since there are no teaching jobs in the area where we recently moved. I volunteer in my church community and we visit our kids, grand kids, and great grand kids who live 3-4 hours away at least once a month.
 
 
Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?
 
I sell what I love and am passionate about. I started out with china, specifically Lenox, then I branched out when I found so many other things I love. My home is much like my shop as we eat on depression dishes and drink our morning coffee from pottery mugs. I love the stories of the companies, artists, and crafters who brought the vintage trends to life. I am a lifelong learner so I love the research of new "found" items or products.
 
 
Where else can we find you online?
 
I am on facebook and twitter.
 
 
Did you always want to have your own business?
 
It was never a dream of mine. I was always a teacher, then life altered my path...We moved to an area where that was not an option so when the path shifted, I shifted with it. Now, I can't imagine not owning my shop.
 
 
Any other thoughts you want to share with us?
 
Faith and family are the center of my life. I am a peace seeker and a person of integrity. This guides my every decision in my personal life, in my marriage, and in my little shop. I hope every customer and every person I encounter leaves my shop happy even if all they did is take a peek or ask a question! 
 
Peace always..
Lana
 
Here is a sample of items you will find in Lana's shop!
 
Enjoy!
 
 

 
 
Please pop on over to my shop to see what you can find!
 

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Meet our featured shop owner Priya



 
Featured Shop Owner
 
Priya
AmuandPrishop
 
 
Priya has an amazing talent! She makes the most beautiful items!
Here is my interview with this wonderful shop owner!
 
What do you sell?
 
I sell handmade Bridal Hair flowers and Bridal Sashes, Hair clips ,jewelry and more !
 
 
How did you get started with Etsy?
 
My etsy store was started to get away from boredom. My daughters were in high school and husband busy in his office ! So I started to pursue my long lost hobby of making fabric flowers. after making a few flowers, it was time to exhibit them.. google is my best friend online, ! lol .
 
I started my shop in 2010 when there were not so many sellers on etsy. and then came the first sale !!! the feeling was terrific ..I had earned something from my hobby which all these years was unnoticed ( my husband never understood the value of my hobby until I found etsy ) .
 
 
When did you get interested in making your Art/Craft?
 
 
I learned this art in my school days . But I got in love again with this art just a few years back .
 
 
Where does your inspiration come from?
 
 
Nature is the greatest inspiration!
 
 
Who taught you or how did you learn your art form?
 
 
My first teacher is my mom.. I remember making flower arrangements from the flowers in our garden, she had taught me how to make roses from organdi fabric
 
 
Where do you see your Shop in 5 years from now?
 
 
This is my hobby, so I am going steady. I want to be happy and contended in my work and not just on the number of sales.

Each year I display a new collection and new design of flowers.
In next 5 years I want to see my flowers making more and more brides happy :)
 
 
How do you manage your time between Etsy and the rest of your life?
 
 
I am a homemaker, even though I am cooking or gardening.. I am continuously thinking about flowers and designs , So whenever I get time I am into my studio .
 
 
Is this a hobby, part-time job, or full-time job?
 
 
This is my hobby which I want to make as a full time job.
 
 
Do you make or stock items you love, or what will sell?
 
 
I always make items I love, because I love making new designs and playing with colors ! I do remake the flowers which clients like the most.
 
 
Where else can we find you online?
 
 
I am on facebook - Amuandprishop
twitter - AmuandPri
my blog
reeyahandmade.blogspot.com
 
 
Did you always want to have your own business?
 
 
I always wanted to earn my own money , I don't like to sit idle. So yes I wanted to have my own business
 
 
Any other thoughts you want to share with us?
 
 
I would thank Etsy for giving me opportunity to display my talent, to earn from my hobby,has given me confidence of being something, it has given me so many happy moments everyday.. making my and others life more beautiful day by day:)
 
 
I really enjoyed meeting Priya!
Here is a sample of her shop!
Enjoy!

Please take time and check out her shop! Perfect items for Brides!!
 
 
 
 
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