It's Felty Friday Time!!!

 This week I am presenting you with a Felty Friday 

featured artist with a cool shop name:

fullenstar and her magnificent fiber arts! Her scarves are amazingly bright and unique.  I love the soft look of them and the punched up colors!  Fashionable and so artisticly concieved with a slight flair for drama this is felt dressed up in it's finest!!!

Here are fullenstar's Felty Four!

Why Felt?
Felt is so cool because it is art, craft, function, science, and magic all rolled into one piece of pretty amazing material.  Until you have actually went through the entire felt making process it is hard to understand how a few loose fibers and hot soapy water can create this fabulous fabric.

 

 If you could make anything out of felt not restricted by cost or design what would it be?

I would love to felt a really big piece of furniture, like my sofa. I can't imagine being able to make that much nuno felt yardage, not to mention sewing it all into a cover.  Maybe I'll start with a throw pillow!

 

What is your Creative Process?

When I take a seat in the studio  I am surrounded by all of my hand dyed silks and gorgeous hand blended rovings, that is all the inspiration that I need. I simply pick out a beautiful colorway and a piece of silk and felt, felt, felt.

 

 If you were stranded on a desert island with only three craft items what would they be?

Wool, silk, and bubble wrap, of course! Has anyone ever felted a bikini?

 A felt bikini NOW there's something 

I'd like to see!!!  Make sure you give our 

                             Felty Friday Artist some love!  Happy Shopping!  

30 on 30!

A wonderful idea emerged on the Etsy Forums yesterday... anniepoo of  http://www.etsy.com/shop/anniepoo asked what if everyone spent $30.00 on handmade on just one day?  Hence the 30 on 30! 
We want EVERYONE to spend $30.00 on handmade on November 30.  Don't have 30? I know times are tight... spend what you can!  Etsy is a vibrant community of handmade goodies and vintage at all different price ranges!  Get a gift, buy a spluge for yourself.  Most importantly you will be supporting handmade and vintage craftsmen and sellers.  You can search for local artists to put the money right back into your community or you can just support lovely artists from all around the world!   Tis the season to give and give back,  so support handmade!  It only takes one person to start a movement!
Scroll down for a list of participating shops!

Go to Etsy and search the term 30on30 and get your shop on!

If you are a seller and want to participate sign up on the forum here HERE and view the informational thread HERE!  And your shop info will be added to this post!

Happy shopping and spread the word!!!

Participating Shops: 

anniepoo: 
Stop by Annie's Powder Room for totally unique soaps that are perfect for gift giving and stocking stuffing! We TRULY have a soap for ANYONE!!!

OhMyCupcake   
Handmade vegan soaps, candles, cute jewelry & household items.

Gemstoneandwire:
Handmade custom Jewelry and accessories.

trucdart:
Check out my shop for colorful, small format original artwork and gemstone jewelry.  

ferozasjewelery:  
Check uot my shop for handmade jewelery. 

kitchenstichen:
Cute AND functional kitchen linens for the descriminating chef.

FernHollowFinds:
Fern Hollow Finds offers useful products for everyday living; hats, scarves, jewelry, jewelry travel organizers, fabric napkins & more.

michellenstamps:
Quality handmade cards for all occasions. I have many cards to choose from.

momomadeit:
Where there are lots of Everyday Housewife™ aprons to choose from - for everyday, every season and any reason!

 FabricGreetings:
One of a kind fabric postcards - mailable textile art

sunflowerexpress:
Fine Felt Jewelry and Accessories

Fiberfads:
Hand Knitted and Felted Fiber Gifts

craftygurll 
Stoneware pottery & soaps...soap ships free if you buy a soapdish too. :)
  
KayzKreationz:   
 Unique, useful and decorative Stained Glass, Mosaics and Fused Glass items for your home and garden. 

AptNo5:
Come vist Apt No 5 for modern jewelry with an edge.   Real 14k goldfill charm necklaces for just $30!

Amievoltaire:
Clothing and accessories available here and Great stocking stuffers.

leeesgal: 
Vintage clothing and accessories

cottontailquilts:
Hand quilted memories and treasures, kids wear, winter accessories, hand quilted fiber art.

quiltingcafe:
Featuring a wide variety of handmade quilted items, specializing in personalization and custom quilts.

kitkit96:
Jewelry that everyone will love! Look no further that is just what you will find!  Wide variety of materials including glass, pearl, solid sterling silver, silver plated. Something for everyone!

BlueForestJewellery:
Unique, colourful, beautiful, handmade silver creations

ArtheliasAttic:
knit and crochet items made from vintage patterns


HandmadeBySandi:
Crochet items for the whole family, even your pet!

KnitterScarlet:
All things knitted...get your wooly winterwear here and also gorgeous beaded jewellery for that Christmas present.

starbabyonline:
One of a kind jewelry finds, mostly in sterling silver and gems!

wellspringcreations:
Lovely sterling silver accessories starting at $12.99. A quality gift for a low price!

funnyfuser:
Safe to wear anodized Titanium and Niobium earrings. I also only use nickel free findings. Fused glass art to wear. Barrettes to beads.

tracydesigns
XL Veggie Diva hot pads for cookie sheets and baking dishes (hot item), wristlet key fobs (hot item), quilts, bags, fabric coasters, duct tape stuff by my daughter, and much more!

kimbuktu
Tissue cozys and quilted round coin purses available in my shop, plus, for 1 day only I will adjust the price on my placemat sets to $30 for four beautiful quilted placemats. That is a savings of $6 per set.

FoxyGknits
hand knit scarves, shawls and wraps for today's women.

Quiltedbabe
My shop has a nice selection of sewn, quilted, hand knit and recycled items.

 YellowBlack
bird a variety of fun, fashionable, and inexpensive jewelry. All earrings come in a both pierced and clip on. Shipping is free in the U.S. and Canada and is only $1 for international shipping!

vintagegirldezigns  

Handcrafted jewelry, bags & ornaments with vintage flair make great gifts. Take a look!

Tokyoinspired 

Fun and colorful screen-printed and embroidered pouches.

whimandfolly
Owls, butterflies, buttons, and ribbons are just a few of the delights that you will find featured on my handmade paper goods.

FashionablyChic
Check out Fashionably Chic for original handcrafted jewelry for all occassions.

openheartcreations
Handmade jewelry, greeting cards, frames and more. Perfect stocking stuffers and gifts!

QuiltSewCover
Paperback book covers, checkbook covers and lace Christmas Ornaments. Nothing over $10.00

underoakstudios
Organic Jewelry in Silver and gold. Some dirty word necklaces too!

HeatherScent
Stop by my shop for some great stocking stuffers and gift packs. Everyone loves my Sinus inhalers -- they are a perfect gift this cold/flu season!

fiberpuppy
Quirky felted hats and lovely textured scarves.

blackcatmima
At Black Cat Mima you'll find, vintage hairpin sets,  handmade gift tags,  vintage holiday decor, felt brooches, magnets and tree ornaments,  and coming this weekend, handmade toss pillows, Christmas stockings, Hanukkah Hoots (owl plushies).

SuzyQQuilts
Visit Suzy-Q's for great gift ideas under $30 including purses, re-useable items and drawstring backpacks.

metropolisbody
Shocking tales of soapy scandals! Our products are 100% vegan and great for stocking stuffers!

desertgarden
Stop by desertgarden for luxurious spinning fibers and yarns.

lostmitten
Stop by Lost Mitten for handmade geekery, including my original Nintendo and video game housewares made out of Perler Beads and needlepoint! I also have knit wear and cute pinback buttons!

threepeats
carries long, light, easy to wear necklaces and earrings made from recycled vintage beads, chain, ribbon and lace. Each piece is UNIQUE!
ARTISANNE
Scottish Sea Glass and some other wee creations, everything under $30!!!!

UpandUpcycled
Upcycled jewelry, decor and accessories- all items made from repurposed materials! Good for your wallet and your soul, items as low as $3:

ChellaBellaDesigns
fantastic shipping rates and marked down items. Fabulous gifts for everyone, including your pets!

CutiePatootieBeads
Wonderful Handmade Jewelry

2MuchYarn
Lots of crochet items that are perfect for gift giving either to your self or others! From hats to slippers and everything in between

MomNMiaQuilts
designer quilts and baby gifts for modern moms and kids. (Plus, take advantage of our 10% OFF sale 11/27-11/30)

 kimwhitecreations
You will find gifts for everyone on your list! All my $10 Coffee Cozies, Slouches/Berets, Scarves, Care Shawls and Lap Wraps are on SALE and ready to ship!

MiniMade
I make a variety of sewn items from coasters to quilts!

CuteNation
Handpainted wooden dolls that are the epitome of cute!

A little Bit about Why I Create and Design in Felt

For those of you not familiar with the wonderfulness of Wool Felt, let me go ahead and break it down as to why this is one of my FAVORITE mediums.
For all of my jewelry items I use exclusively  Genuine Wool Felt.  Genuine Wool felt is a blend of usually 35 percent wool and 65 percent polyester or 20%wool and 80% polyester.  This blend makes a super durable lush and smooth felt.  This felt maintains it's shape, when blanket stiched around it does not stretch at all.
It can be layered and accented with sequins and beads.
Everyone has sterling silver or gold jewelry.  My goal is to throw my own spin at the jewelry market, with designs that are elegant and fun and most of all play off of current trends.   My goal is to create jewelry that creates a statement and is completely unique.
I enjoy creating peices that will wow and create a conversation. The Metal jewelry market is so saturated, my aim is to present an alternative that is just as beautiful and just as wow worthy. I love having a soft and light piece of felt hanging from my ears or around my neck...
My jewelry is created using original free form embroidery techniques and the layers are first glued together using industrial strength felt glue and then each layer is sewn toghther.  This creates jewelry that is not only durable but virtually indestructible.
Each peice can be lightly cleaned using a damp cloth... It's not advisable to submerge the peices in water.  It is totally preferable to remove the jewelry when washing your hands.
I love taking such a simple and durable material and transforming it into something beautiful and unexpected.

Felty Friday The Thirteenth

No need to dive in corners or be extra specially careful of ladders and black cats.

How could you possibly be scared while looking at this?

ShesSoCrafty Is Proud To Present today's 

Felty Friday Artist: fiberpuppy!

fiberpuppy works with felted wool and makes the most adorable felt hats and lush scarves. 

Her choice of colors is amazing and her designs have a touch of whimsey  and who could possibly resist a cozy hat with an owl, cat or dog staring back at you?  

Here are fiberpuppy's FELTY FOUR!

Why felt?
I love making felt because there’s an element of surprise. It’s like shrinky-dinks. You think you know what it will look like but when it comes out , but it’s always a little different; maybe more lofty or thicker or longer. You kind of never know.
Also there is a structural element to felt that I love. To me it’s much more 3-D than plain knitting. I love the texture I can create with the shibori process, and when it's still moist you can give the felt shape by putting it over a form or stretching it.




If you had to describe your work as a song what would it be?

The Manamama song from the muppet show. It’s quirky and the hippie muppet keeps trying to go off on tangents but the cows keep reigning him in. He does finally get the last word though.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8czf_muppet-show-manamana_fun




What is the one thing you hate about your work?

The little bits of fluff everywhere. Felting has nearly killed my washing machine. The machine got so clogged with fiber it wouldn’t drain. Finally enough pressure built up and a huge fiber poop came shooting out.



 
Greatest Crafty Accomplishment?

This didn’t win any awards but I was pretty proud of myself. I knit the seats to our lawn furniture using mop handles and clothesline. I learned that one from the Manly art of knitting (which is unfortunately out of print). If featured a pattern for a hammock using boat oars and clothesline.
 (shessocrafty wants to see a picture of this LOL)

Click on any of the images above to be taken to fiberpuppy's Etsy shop or just click right here!

fiberpuppy on Etsy

Thanks for reading and make sure to give ALL of our Felty Friday Artists Some Love! 

Extended Info Or the Way to totally Optimize your Facebook for Search Engines

This is part of our Facebook fan page tune up section.

Ok so previously we talked about search engine optimization... And I told you that the easiest way to do this was to utilize two things on your fan page... The box below your profile picture and another facebook application called Extended Info.

Let's start with the Box.



That handy little box under your profile is for much more than links. It's a traffic gold mine... put in a killer description of your business when people are googling your keywords wouldn't it be awesome if your etsy shop didn't come up at least your killer fan page with all of your info would????

Next using the Extended info application http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=2374336051 you can customize your info tab and make that an awesome boon of information. Again remembering to use words that describe your business and a little about yourself if you want.I'm still workin on mine...
As with most things home business based... There ain't enough hours in the day!!!
 But since using this boxes to my best advantage when someone googles my shop MY FANPAGE comes up before even my Etsy shop.  So it is definietly another door into your shop... granted its  a bit more complicated a door but a door nonetheless and I think all of us can use a few more of those!

Oh Where oh where has Ms. Crafty Gone

Ok so I'm on a making binge... of epic proportions... Stay tuned later on tonight for an Extended info Tutorial for Facebook and Felty Friday for tomorrow!  Meanwhile Here is the latest peice I am finishing...

Hundreds of hand stiches here on this bib Necklace!   Almost done hopefully listing maybe today but definitely by tomorrow!  Post some links of your Works in Progress!

Felty Friday Artist FeltLikeStitchin

Felty Fridays is a new feature That we will be running every Friday On the Blog and on the ShesSoCrafty A&D Fanpage   Here .   Felt is such a Wonderful Material, I want to bring to light ALL of the wonderful Artists working in this diverse, durable and fantastically wonderful material.

ShesSoCrafty Is Proud To Present today's Felty Friday Artist:  FeltLikeStitchin!  

  ShesSoCrafty Presents FeltLikeStitchin's Felty Four:
FeltLikeStitchin Answers four questions about her love of felt and her shop on Etsy!
(click any of the pictures to visit her shop! ) 

Why Felt?

For me, the best thing about felt is the wonderful range of colours. It's so bright and cheerful I can't help being inspired to create! I love that it's so versatile too, and it doesn't fray making it great for kids to learn how to sew.

Greatest Crafty Accomplishment?
My best and most exciting accomplishment so far has been seeing my work in print. My Russian Dolls have appeared in a craft magazine and in the Sunday supplement of a national UK newspaper, my Cross Patch Kits were featured in another UK craft magazine and four of my DiDi Dolls appeared in the Crammed Organisms book.



How do you work are you sloppy sue or neat nelly?
I'm a neat freak in my head but in reality my sewing stuff tends to gradually take over the house. Only yesterday I heard my husband muttering that our living room is starting to look like a sweat shop but I just buried my head in the felt and kept on stitching!

If you were stranded on a desert island with only three craft items what would they be?
I'd definitely need needles, thread, felt, but then I'd need some scissors too so that makes four! I guess if I had a pack of needles, a box of threads and some sharp scissors I could try stitching leaves and tree bark - if I was lucky there might be goats or some other woolly creatures on the island and I could have a go at making my own felt!

Her shop is a wonderful collection of wonderfully Bright and Charmingly 

Cheerful Items for your shopping Pleasure!  I really love her Matroyshka dolls and her super playful gingerbread houses and ornaments, all perfect for Christmas!   

Visit her shop here (or click any of the images listed above!)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/FeltLikeStitchin

Happy Shopping!

SEO Optimization for Face Book Fan pages

Ok so I'm really digging the customization for facebook fan pages and I just wanted to share with you a few more optimizations to get some links back to your Etsy Shop.

I've been checking my Google Analytics and have realized that traffic from my fan page has increased a hundred percent since implementing some changes, including the Custom Landing Tab.

I just wanted to discuss here a few ways to optimize your page for Search Engines.

Make sure when you are filling in the Info tab or the box on your profile directly beneath your profile pic with keyword dense text. Think about your business and use keywords that people would use to search for businesses like yours... If you have already optimized your Etsy shop use those Keywords to build a really very accurate description of your business.

There is also a really great application called Extended info which will allow you to add custom fields to your info tab. I will post a tutorial on this shortly and that will let you add a rich description of your business the Search Engines will pick up on directly to your info tab.

Many businesses are starting to use their fanpages as a second home on the web and pulling in as many people thru searches is very helpful to driving traffic to your site... I started out on Wednesday with 37 fans, I now have 98... and I'm only halfway done running my ads.

Rich content andd lots of info will help draw people in and keep them coming back for more!
I do not think I have yet gotten a sale straight from facebook but people are coming and that is a very good thing especially in this holiday season to bring in as many people as possible!!!