Teambluegrass Holiday Luncheon & Swap

Our Bluegrass Etsy team met last month before the holidays for our 2nd Annual Holiday Luncheon and Swap Meet. We had a wonderful lunch at Brendan's in Louisville. Thanks to Joey and Kelly Graves for making the reservations for us again this year.

We had a great turnout and enjoyed the afternoon shopping for hand crafted gifts made in Kentucky. We met new team members and saw familiar faces too. Thanks to all that braved the rain to join us.

If you missed it this year, you'll want to be sure to join us next time!

Be sure to mark your calendars for our first ever team retreat in Berea, KY on May 14 & 15. Leave a comment if you would like us to send you information about the event.
 

Masonic Home Show in Shelbyville

I recently set up with other Bluegrass Etsy team members at the Masonic Home Show (Celebrating Life Through Art) organized by our friend Donna Williams. It was a hot, hot day. Between the chilled wine, some ice from the cooler and team member Carolyn's nifty misting fan, we managed to stay cool! Here are some pics of our booths that day. This is always a fun event because of the constant entertainment and live music. Not to mention the good food and the good company!

Handcrafted clutch purses & accessories from Toni Johnson of Vernon Ave.

My Creative Eye Studio booth featuring jewelry and greeting cards.


Awesome pieces created by Joey and Kelly Graves of Whimsy Beading.

Metalsmithing extraordinaire Carolyn Mallin of Fanciful Expressions.

Kellibeans Hat Giveaway!

If you haven't entered our Bluegrass Etsy contest for the month of February, you will want to enter now! This month's giveaway is our biggest yet - valued at $30. Team member Kellibeans is giving away a crocheted hat and an art card (of your choice) from her etsy and artfire shops. Be sure to visit our Kentucky Handmade blog for the details. The prize will be awarded on Feb 28. Remember, you can't win if you don't enter!

Bracelet from WhimsyBeading

I am the very proud owner of this shiny metallic multi-colored bracelet created just for me by my team members and friends Kelly & Joey Graves of Whimsy Beading. Each time I am around them, they are nonstop, constantly creating new things while at the same time socialing with those around them. They certainly know how to be productive and get more time out of their day!

I fell in love with this bracelet and had to have it! I picked out the button after seeing the beads in September and Joey was able to attach it and custom fit it to my wrist at our last team meeting.

Isn't it lovely and unique?

Check out their beadweaving jewelry creations at the WhimsyBeading etsy shop.

Bluegrass Etsy Fall Team Meet & Greet

Here are a few photos from the Bluegrass Etsy Fall Meet and Greet held on Saturday, September 26. I love these meetings as it is great to speak face to face with people you know online. It's always fun to see what others are making and do a little bartering. And these are great team building activities.


With the past two meetings we've had, we end with a promo swap. Basically you bring a small item that reflects your shop or your craft and swap with others. We also swap business cards and include those in promo bags with our orders. We know from experience that these promo bags work!


Time seems to fly by when we get together. We allotted five hours for the meeting and we still didn't have enough time to socialize and talk business as much as we wanted to!

Joey & Kelly Graves of Whimsy Beading are always so productive when we see them! Wait till you see the bracelet they stitched up for me. (coming soon!)

Team members: Paulena of Polly's Pavilion, Angela of Spool of Plenty and Libby of Maylees Garden (our fearless team leader)

New team members Sherry and LeighAnn from SewFriendzy meet existing team members Toni Johnson with Vernon Ave and Carolyn Campbell of Cowgirl Rosie.
Tina Mackin of SmackinArt and Paulena.

To see more pics of the team in action, visit our Kentucky Handmade team blog.

Go Bluegrass Team!

I am so proud of our team! We have had several members in the spotlight recently and I want to brag about them!

Jama Watts of These Precious Things was featured in the 2009-2010 Fire Mountain Gems Best Sellers Catalog. Turn to page 258 if you have one! Way to go Jama. I am in awe of your work!


Our team leader Libby Goldsmith of Maylees Garden has been named as a writer for Handmade News. You can see her bio here. Check out her marketing articles by going to Handmade News, then click marketing and you'll see her name. If you click her name, it will take you to her articles. Libby has a wealth of information to share with us.

And finally, our team member Rachel Taibi of Rayela Art has reached 1,000 sales on etsy after opening her shop only two years ago. Rayela's very popular blog is a great resource for fiber artists. And her recent blog post gives etsy sellers some great tips on how she made it to 1,000 sales! Click here to read more.

Great job team!!

To see more of our Kentucky team's talent, go to etsy.com, then type teambluegrass in the search box.

July Team Giveaway from Momosbows

Our giveaway for the steamy hot month of July is brought to us by Stephanie Key of Momosbows. And very appropriately, her giveaway is flip flops!

One pair of Polka Dot Princess Flip Flops (in pink or white) and a matching bow!


Description:
This style of Princess flip flops are available in pink or white. The sides are braided with pink, green, and white ribbon for that special look. Complete with green and pink polka dots and a tiara, this pair is a great gift for:

-Birthdays
-Flower girls
-Birthday favors
-A Pageant Contestant
-Or any day for that special girl

All of my bows are secured with elastic cord and the ends are heat sealed. There are no pokey wires to worry about here! The tiara is nestled between two bows to ensure that it sits up far enough away from little toes. These are new, quality made, Cariris flip-flops (no cheapos) that retail without the bows for $8-$15.
These are available in the following kids' sizes:
11/12
13
1/2
3/4
and Toddler sizes with a backstrap:
7/8
9/10

They are valued at: $18.00 with the matching bow valued at $7.00

How Do I Enter?

Go to our Ky Teambluegrass blog for the details. It's easy to enter and we'll draw a new winner on July 31.

Good luck!

Oh oh oh, the Sweetest Thing

I just received the cutest little burp cloth you ever saw!! No, it's not for me. Two of my friends are expecting babies this year!

This darling piece was created by Sara Andrus of the Savvy Stitcher. She is a talented Kentucky artist/crafter on our Bluegrass etsy team. Check out Sara's shop! She has other designs for boys too, and some cool fabric wraps for your coffee cup.


The expectant mom card was created by Shauna Rogers of Lemon Drop Studio. Shauna is from Oregon and I met her through twitter, proof that twitter can get you sales! Check out Shauna's shop for cute cards and tags.

June Giveaway from These Precious Things

Our team giveaway for the month of June has been created by the very talented Jama Watts of These Precious Things.

"Ear buds" Valued at $20

Earrings feature dangles of small lucite flowers in light pink, hot pink and baby blue with centers in various colors. Threaded on silver-plate headpins, each with a wrapped loop for extra security. Flowers dangle off sterling chain and hand-made sterling earwires. Full length of earrings is 1.75".

Visit our Ky etsy team blog for details on how to enter! (click the box on the right side of the blog for info on the giveaway)

The contest ends on June 30!

Win These Swarovski Earrings!

Visit the Ky Bluegrass etsy team blog for our latest giveaway.

Each month an artist from Kentucky donates an item for the giveaway. This month I have offered these beautiful Swarovski crytal & sterling silver earrings, valued at $17. They are one of my most popular designs and are also available in my etsy shop.

Details about the giveaway are at our team blog, but it's really easy to enter. The deadline to enter is January 31 and the winner will be announced on February 1. Remember you can't win if you don't play! So visit our team blog and while you are there, check out our talented Kentucky artisans.

Earring Giveaway - Bluegrass Team Contest

It's time for the Etsy Team Bluegrass monthly giveaway! The prize this month is donated by Whimsy by Mari. All you have to do to win this fabulous pair of earrings is visit Mari's shop then leave a comment on our team blog. Visit our team blog for the contest details.

One comment will be chosen at random on January 1, 2009 to win these beautiful earrings.

Remember, you can't win if you don't enter!

Featured on Bluegrass Team Blog - How Cool!

On our team chat this week, we were on a roll and brainstormed on lots of great ideas to implement in the next few months. It's exciting to be on a team that is regional, as I have the opportunity to meet most of these ladies and gentlemen. Somehow there is more of a connection. Maybe it's that we all live in the great state of Kentucky!

Corinne, our team leader sent me a note today letting me know that I am featured on the Bluegrass etsy team blog this week. Click here to take a look!

Two new etsy treasuries this week

Wow, these ladies do a great job of getting those coveted treasury spots. My blue earrings are featured in the first and my pink earrings are in the second treasury. Way to go Kentucky team!

Octoberfest Treasury

Here is another example of a treasury assembled today by the Bluegrass etsy team.

My glass pumpkin earrings are featured in the bottom row.

Go team!

Octoberfest Teamwide Sale!

If the cooler weather has you thinking about fall or holiday shopping, you are in luck. And the best part is that you don't even have to leave the comfort of your home. Click here to visit our Bluegrass team site to see the details on each shop participating in the sale. Our special sale is just in time for the holidays! Most shops are offering 20% off!

Just enter in the code, "BEST OF" in the message to seller in checkout, and wait for a revised invoice before paying.

Our sale runs until October 19th. But remember, these are handcrafted one-of-a-kind items, so shop early for the best selection!

You can check out my shop here.

Another treasury!

Wow, another great treasury of handcrafted items from B.E.S.T. (Bluegrass Etsy Street Team). Way to go team! To see more Kentucky crafted items, go to etsy.com, then search for "teambluegrass" to see all of our items. My earrings are the blue striped glass earrings in the top row.

Special thanks to Libby of AurorasGarden for creating both treasuries this week. Check out her handcrafted shea butter rosemary soap! I just love the smell of rosemary and peppermint!

Team Bluegrass Treasury & Holiday Earrings

I just joined a new etsy street team called B.E.S.T (Bluegrass etsy street team). This team features the work of artists throughout Kentucky. Our work was featured in a treasury today. My fleur de lis earrings are featured on the third row. How cool! To see artwork from Ky artisans, go to www.etsy.com and enter "teambluegrass" as your search term for tags.

I've had a productive morning and have posted four new items in my esty shop. I know it's early to be thinking about Christmas, but I have signed up for three holiday shows and I am making them now so I'll be ready! Visit my shop at www.creativeeyestudio.etsy.com.