Etsy Shop Feature - QsFlowerStand

A super huge thank you to Erika of Q's Flower Stand for contacting us to make a donation! Please take a moment to learn more about her shop and her lovely creations!

How long have you been crafting?

I've been a crafter for as long as I can remember. I learned how to knit and sew at a young age. However, I didn't really get into it until after High School. I am from Southern California, but I moved to Missouri for college. It was my first experience living in cold weather, so I remember getting out the knitting needles and making scarves. I haven't stopped since and it's been over 10 years!

When did you turn your hobby into a business?

Within the last month! As my daughter is getting older, she's been a lot more independent so I have had more time to make things. I enjoy crocheting outside in the sun as she plays by my side. Because I was able to do this, I decided, why not, let's start Etsy. I love the etsy community, so I am excited to now be a part of this. I've got a lot more things coming that I am excited for! In fact, I'm offering Free Shipping right now with the code QSHIP.

What is your favorite Etsy shop?

Wow! How do you choose? There are so many wonderful shops. The creativity is amazing!! However, being a new mom, I gravitate towards the children boutiques. I've always adored Gifts Define and Lippy Lou Design, which have the cutest shoes for little girls!! I just bought some cards from Mad Lucy Paper that are really cute, too!

How has Breast Cancer affected your life?
I feel like it's almost safe to say that we all know someone who has been affected by this. That's really scary! I feel very humbled and thankful to say that the women I know who have been diagnosed have all conquered it with a clean bill of health and while they may or may not have had a mastectomy, it was caught early enough to allow them their life. I hope that my contribution will give those going through this, the hope and opportunity that will allow them to live their life!

Thank you so much Erika!

Hugs,
Julie

http://www.courageforkristi.etsy.com/

Etsy Shop Feature - dropmetal

Besides raising money to help Kristi's three young daughters, one of the greatest things about opening Courage for Kristi is meeting warm hearted and generous Etsy sellers...like Kacie and Micha of dropmetal! Please take a moment to read about how they started their shop and take a peek at their amazing creations.

Tell us about your shop.
Drop Metal was started by two designers with a strong passion for all things handmade, the simple country life, and creating unique products out of metal. Drawn together by overlapping creative fields, our goal is to reveal the true relationship with a product when quality is valued over quantity. When did you turn your hobby into a business?

We have both been crafting since we were old enough to have a curiosity about the world around us. We turned our hobby into a business in March 2011 - I quit my job in Seattle and moved to Tennessee to help Micah start this creative endeavor.How has breast cancer affected you?

I had a childhood friend who went through breast cancer when we were in middle school and I remember how hard it was for her and her family. Also, my college best friend's mother battled breast cancer while we were in school. She is one of the hardest working, most loving women I know - she has been a foster mother for over 30 years.

You can find other beautiful creations by this duo here:

www.dropmetal.com/

dropcloth.org/

Thank you so much for supporting our cause!
HUGS,

Julie http://www.courageforkristi.etsy.com/

Etsy Shop Feature - Mynski and Libelle too

A HUGE thank you to Mynski & Libelle Too of Etsy for the wonderful donation to Courage for Kristi! Britt's lovely creations were a big hit last year and I know they will be again this year! Please take a moment and learn a little bit more about this wonderful Etsy artist!

How long have you been crafting?
I've been crafting since I was really young. I remember begging to go to the craft stores instead of the toy stores when I was little.

When did you turn your hobby into a business?
My crafting became a business when I lost my job in June 2010. I opened my first Etsy shop to sell my handmade jewelry and photography prints. Photography has been an obsession for me just as long as crafting has. From there I have expanded to 2 shops for my various wares.

What is your favorite Etsy shop?
There are so many awesome shops on Etsy it's hard to pick a favorite. I think Jude McConkey's shop is great. I found her shop when I first joined Etsy and was checking out the photo competition. I love her moody, sort of creepy images. She's a very talented artist.www.etsy.com/shop/judemcconkey
How has Breast Cancer affected your life?
I have been very fortunate not to have had too many close friends or relatives who have had Breast Cancer, but I do know many people who have. My best friend's mother had a double mastectomy a few years ago, and tomorrow she goes for a biopsy for a very rare, very aggressive form of cancer that attacks the tailbone or base of the skull. She and her family have already been through so much it's hard to see them go through this too.

I donate to Courage For Kristi because I have seen how much families suffer when a loved one is diagnosed with any cancer. Kristi's girls deserve to know that her life mattered to many people, and they deserve to have the best life they can in her abscence. I think the college funds that will come from the proceeds are a great way to acomplish those things.

Thank you so much Britt for all of your support!!! Your generousity is amazing!
HUGS,
Julie