The California Crafters Club of Etsy (CCCOE) is a group of independent artists, crafters, & artisans from California who sell their wares on Etsy.com.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

New to Me

This month I set out to find some shops from our team that I was not familiar with. I was gratified to find some new members (as well as some members I had not come across before).

It's good to see the fiber artists out there...

Crochet Hooded Poncho with a pom pom in Vibrant colors made with Soy Silk yarn.
Crochet Hooded Poncho by Knit2Create


Unique OOAK Wrap Brandon's Flam'n Hot Hug in Bold Red Violet Purple Swirls Shawl Scarf Cowl reclaimed vintage silk scarves fabric n yarns
Brandon's Flam'n Hot Hug by Chewsy By Design


And what fun! Decorative bottles. (Or useful bottles? Same difference.)

Olive Oil Bottle / Decantor
Olive Oil Bottle/Decantor by Baja Gypsy Designs

I can't do a post like this without showing off some earrings...

Light Blue and Purple Drop Hoop Earrings
Light Blue and Purple Drop Hoop Earrings by Maggi Makes It

Or something orange. (An orange birthday card. How cute!)

White Flowers and Orange Happy Birthday Greeting Card - 3.5" x 5" - One of a Kind
White Flowers and Orange Happy Birthday Greeting Card by Nora Demi Design

And a little cover for a mini tablet (or ereader). This is just too cool!

iPad Mini, Nook, Kindle Cover made from book "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" - choose your own fabric!
iPad Mini, Nook, Kindle Cover by Pages and Prose

As always, the captions link back to the items on Etsy and the specific shops. What new things have you come across lately?

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Show the Love

This week I gave the team a challenge:
Is there something in your shop that you love but just isn't getting any love? Or views? Here's your chance to let our blog readers know about it.
I asked them to tell us what they loved about the item, and today I am sharing this with you. Please show these items some love.

The link in the caption leads to the item on Etsy. The link on the shop name leads to the shops.

Koco & Viking says:
We hand make each piece from white clay and hand paint them too. The process takes a lot of time but we put love in it! We're a mom & daughter duo inspired by where we live and this seashell necklace reflects our coastal abode.

Shell Necklace Hand Painted Scallop Shell Pink Pearl Tan Leather Beachy Ocean Lover  Mermaid Bridesmaid Necklace beach wedding sea clay sand
Shell Necklace


J.D.B. Mercantile says:
I'd love to see it get more love! I love that it's a big statement necklace, but is still dainty and fragile. I also love the harmony of the combination of the rustic wood and the delicate design topped off with a sweet, soft ribbon against a gunmetal chain.

Modern Geometric Bib Style Statement Bubble Necklace Cherry Wood & Ribbon Abstract Unique Laser Cut Wooden Jewelry With Gunmetal Chain
Geometric Bib Style Statement Bubble Necklace


Duetta Designs says:
I absolutely love this necklace I made with Moss Agate stones and featuring my own hand fired Lampwork beads. I'd probably cry if I do sell it, because I love it that much.

OOAK Handmade Sterling Silver Necklace with Raku Lampwork and Agate
Necklace with Raku Lampwork and Agate

Aphy N Angel Designs didn't tell me what they love about this scarf, but it's kind of an awesome scarf. What's not to love?

Long Fringe Scarf, Open End Scarf, Fringe Scarf, Pink and Purple Scarf,
Long Fringe Scarf

Indy & Cleo says:
Sock Monkey Mini Note Card Trio ~ I especially love these mini note cards! They were designed using my very own original sock monkey creations ~ each note highlights a particular handmade sock monkey, as well as my own (sock monkey) photography. The mini notes are sold in sets of three (with 5 different sets to choose from) ~ perfect for handing out a few smiles!

Sock Monkey Mini Note Card Trio, Handmade Gift Tags, Lunch Box Notes, Love Notes, Thank You Notes, Hostess Gift, Just Because
Sock Monkey Mini Note Card Trio

And what made me think of this. Well, I have something I love, too. (Is it cheating to include something of mine? I hope not.): 
I love these earrings. I made myself several pairs in various colors. I get great compliments when I wear them, as they are really fun and festive (and lightweight).
Fireworks Earrings
Fireworks Earrings

Thanks for stopping by. 

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Tumblr

In my ongoing quest to document the different social media websites, I've come to a stumbling block. Some of them I just don't get.

Like Tumblr.


So, I enlisted the help of J. E. Oneil who has a fun little blog and also has her very own Tumblr (which she uses to laugh at all the spam she gets), and I asked her all about it.

What is Tumblr?

A social media site that's a mix of Pinterest and Facebook. You can post text, images, links, and video, reblog and like things, follow and unfollow.

Why? (What is the purpose of Tumblr?)

What's the purpose of any social media? To connect. Tumblr is more focused on being creative, and sharing what you make with others whether it's photos you take or drawings or even stories. There are also a lot of blogs that focus on a particular aspect of something, for example, Escher Girls focuses on the ridiculous physical depictions of females in comics, video games, and anime. There's also Literally Unbelievable, which posts screencaps of Facebook posts by people who take articles from the satirical website The Onion seriously.

How does Tumblr work?

Much like any social media site, you sign up and start looking for people to follow (I suggest searching #tags). You make your posts on whatever you want and comment on the posts of others--if they allow it, otherwise you can only like/reblog. Reblogging is a good way to connect here, much more so than a mere like.

What should a newbie know when jumping in?

There are a lot of good people on Tumblr. There are a lot of bad ones, too. Check out someone before you follow them, otherwise you might end up following a racist, sexist jerk.

How did you get introduced to Tumblr?

I follow a lot of internet comic writers/illustrators, and a lot of them happened to be on Tumblr. When I signed up, they were the first ones I started following.

What is your favorite thing about the site? The community?

There are so many good blogs on it. It's seriously amazing. The community is pretty awesome, almost always full of support. There are also so many different views out there with posts written by very eloquent people. I haven't radically changed my views on anything, but it's nice to see other opinions.

Any Tumblrs (besides your own, of course) that a newbie should follow?

In addition to the above mentioned, I also follow Clients From Hell, which showcases the stories of exasperated freelancers; Pusheen, a comic about a fluffy, fat, gray cat; and Cracked, the magazine-turned-humor website. There are also tons of other blogs out there, for artists, for websites, for television networks. I recommend checking your favorite sites for a Tumblr link and starting from there. And of course, The Spamfiles...


So, anyone on Tumblr? What do you think of it? Share your links so we can find you.

Previous posts on social media:
Pinterest
Blogging
Twitter
Wanelo

Thursday, February 6, 2014

Artist Profile - The Happy Monsters

Artists profiles are back for 2014.  This year we're hoping to take a peek inside more studios, see more California art and meet more California artists.  If you know someone who you think we should profile (yes, you can suggest yourself - and you should!) leave a comment with your shop name and we'll contact you on Etsy OR post a message on our Facebook group.



First up for 2014, the wonderfully talented Jacqueline Myers-Cho of The Happy Monsters.  

How would you describe your style?
My style is fun and whimsical with an edge. My daughter and I started The Happy Monsters together because she wanted to make cups with pick up lines on them and wanted to learn how to run a business. I was already painting the monsters and girls so the cups fit in well. I have been on etsy for a while now, my first shop was JMC Designs
www.etsy.com/people/JMCdesigns?ref=pr_profile  and Bob N Stitch www.etsy.com/people/bobnstitch

When did you learn to do what you do?
I have been an artist since my 20's and have had many opportunities to sell and show my work. I consider myself a mixed media artist. I really love to paint and I really love to play with fabric and 3D sculptures. I guess that comes from my theater background, I have a degree in costume design and a minor in scene painting.

What are your favorite pieces to make?
What ever I am working on at the moment is my favorite.

What inspires you?
Questions. My mind always has the question of what if. The questions come to me during the process of creating and then wanting to see the idea. 

Where would you like your shop to be 5 years from now? To have my name known and many sales.


How do you spend your time when you're not creating?
I run an art school and spend time with my daughter and husband.

What does your work space look like? see photos, I didn't show you the other side of the room that has my sewing machine and my mess ;)





What is your favorite thing to have for breakfast? A cup of coffee with a cookie.

Where else can we find your work? My work is in two local shops; Mindfulnest in Burbank,CA and Leanna Lin's Wonderland in Eaglerock, CA. You can also find it here:

www.facebook.com/pages/Jacqueline-Myers-CHO-paintings/101784545399
www.flickr.com/photos/myerscho/
www.pinterest.com/jmyerscho/boards/
www.amazon.com/Jacquelines-Coloring-Book-Jacqueline-Myers-Cho/dp/1482725...

Are you doing any craft fairs this year? At this moment I am not.

Where can we learn more about you?
I am big on posting to facebook, I find it is an easy way to stay in touch, www.facebook.com/myerscho

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Around the Team

Just in time for Valentine's Day. Think Ecosays:
Our handmade eco-friendly wine gift boxes are a memorable gift. We are a San Diego-based company offering wine & liquor gifts, wine racks, garden planters, and rustic wedding decor.
Valentine's Day Gift Handmade Wooden Wine Box Rustic, Reclaimed, Upcycled Cedar
Handmade Wooden Wine Box by Think Eco2

Little Smarty Pantz says:
I hand draw all of my art, and enhance them digitally. It's my creative outlet, outside of my day job. (I am an artist for the entertainment industry - commercials, tv shows, films, etc.) So it is so nice to design for me rather than for work. :)
Personalized Valentine's Plate - Children's Plate - You Are So Special - xoxo hugs and kisses
Personalized Valentine's Plate by Little Smarty Pantz

They have several plate designs especially for Valentine's Day. Make sure to click the link and check them out.

And Allie from Allie's Adornments was kind enough to find some more Valentine's Day finds from the team:

Red Heart - Narwhal Love - Valentine's Day - Hand sculpted ceramic figurine with Heart
Narwhal Love by Maid of Clay Ceramics

Leather Luggage Tag Personalized Away We Go
Leather Luggage Tag by Tresijas

Handmade Soaps, Shower Them with Hearts, Gift Bag of Handcrafted Luxurious Heart Soaps in Plumeria and Blue Pacific Ocean Waves Scents
Shower Them with Hearts by Pacific Paradise Soap

Bookmark- copper wire Heart or Doodle, set of TWO
Bookmark by Vision Quest

Cupids Garden Antique BUTTON charm bracelet, Victorian Eros & flowers on gold. Antique button jewelry, jewellery.
Cupid's Garden by Allie's Adornments

iPhone Case, Driod Razr, Samsung Felted Case - Hand Knit Felted Wool - Choice of Robot
Felted Case by ohmay designs