Etsy Shop Feature - Elephant Beads

A super huge thank you to Molly of Elephant Beads 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?
All my life! Once upon a time I planned to become an artist, but then turned to writing and teaching. But throughout my life I have enjoyed creating things and modifying the space around me to reflect my inner sense of harmony.

When did you turn your hobby into a business?
About a year ago I set up my Etsy shop, "elephantbeads," and began selling jewelry and metalwork bookmarks. I have a full time corporate job, but doing this creative work keeps my inner artist completely happy!

What is your favorite Etsy shop?
There are so many that I love! But here are some shout-outs for some of my favorite shops for purchasing supplies, because they may not get recognized as often as those of us who sell finished products, and they are such an important part of my creative process:
- PottyMouthGems - exceptional quality gems, pearls, and metalwork copper pieces, and her descriptions always make me laugh!
- VintageBeadNut – I love the unusual beads I can find in this shop. Working with vintage or unique beads is so much fun.
- UncommonBeads – I find some great beads in this shop, and exceptional values. It’s a pleasure just to see what they have in stock!


How has Breast Cancer affected your life?
A very important member of my family won her battle with breast cancer and has been in remission for many years. Her sister, however, continues the fight, and her exceptionally positive approach to the process has set a new standard in my world for bravery. I have had other very close and dear friends who have lost the battle against other forms of cancer. We each have a different path to walk, and along my path I have appreciated the opportunities I’ve had to support others.

Thank you so much Molly for your generousity!!!
HUGS,
Julie
CourageforKristi.etsy.com

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 - Crimson Mosquito

This is the only kind of mosquito I love...Crimson Mosquito on Etsy! Lexan of Crimson Mosquito AND Lime Grasshopper has been kind enough to donated to Courage for Kristi two years in a row now!

Read on to find out more about her:

How long have you been crafting?
I have been crafting all my life, My mom was a crafter (macrame, cross stitch), and we have always been a hands-on family.

When did you turn your hobby into a business?
I turned the crafting into an Etsy business a little over 2 years ago with my alter ego, Lime Grasshopper (satrngrl.etsy.com).

What is your favorite Etsy shop?
I love T Gurley Bath & Body (www.etsy.com/shop/tgurleybathandbody)! Her soaps and other goodies are just awesome. And she happens to be a fellow North Carolinian.

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 for your support Lexan!

Hugs!
Julie

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 - Home Shop Creations

I am so happy to introduce you to a wonderful Etsian who has so thoughtfully donated to the Courage for Kristi fundraiser: Bill of HomeShopCreations. Bill so kindly offered to donate one of his handcrafted pens after I featured his item in a Breast Cancer Awareness Treasury. How sweet! Please read on to learn about Bill and his wonderful shop.
How long have you been crafting?
I have been directly involved in the hands-on of lathe turning and penmaking for about 18 months now. I had to take an early retirement from my job of 33 years, and finding this craft really fit the bill to better utilize my time. I am totally infatuated by this craft. I did start out by making and gifting pens and other items to family and friends, but the requests from others "outside the circle" made me turn to selling my wares. My biggest thrill is creating a pen from something original or sentimental like family trees, or even waist belts to make laminated leather pens.

What is your favorite Etsy shop?
My favorite shop is Skyspirit8. That wonderful lady named Deb hand paints various glassware and creates some of the most beautiful pieces of art I have seen. I connected with her because I supply her with some of her special bottles.

How has Breast Cancer affected you?
As far as how Breast Cancer has affecting me, the saddest part is that this terrible disease is so widespread, that it seems to touch every family in some way. My wife and I have lost many wonderful women to this disease, and I am always in awe of the courage these women display. Occasionally, some of the lucky ladies beat the cancer, but more often than not, they don't. I try to do whatever I can to help defeat this disease.

Thank you so much for your generous donation!
Hugs,
Julie http://www.courageforkristi.etsy.com/

Etsy Shop Feature - SweetVegan

I am very excited to introduce a new contributor to the Courage for Kristi shop - Sweet Vegan. I think pictures ARE better than words when it comes to these products. YUM. Please take a moment to learn a little more about Kim and her delectable creations.

How long have you been crafting?

So many years now that I don't really remember when I just know that I started at an early age with my mother sewing, but especially baking. As I became older I fell in love with floral arranging artificial, dried and fresh flowers.

When did you turn your hobby into a business?

In 2008 I opened my own flower shop and decided I need an online presence for my silks. That is when I found Etsy and I haven't looked back since. Then in January of this year I started Sweet Vegan Delight which brought me back to one of my earlier passions, baking.

What is your favorite Etsy shop?

Favorite? Just one? I can't pick just one so I will give you a few...
Love For Earth - Awesome re-useable bags that I use every day and my produce bags I so Love, perfect at the grocery store!

One Clay Bead - I can look so long and often at all the wonderful pieces. One day I will get to buy something :D www.etsy.com/shop/OneClayBead
Teaman - Such a great variety of hand blended teas, I always come back for more. www.etsy.com/shop/teaman

How has Breast Cancer affected your life?

Most people know someone that has been affected by cancer, not just breast, including me, so I support them all. Anytime I can donate (grocery store, event, etc.) I do because I've lost many friends and family to all different types of cancer. They all need our support in finding a cure!

Thank you Kim for your wonderful donation!!
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

Etsy Shop Feature - MedBling

I am so excited to feature the wonderful shop MedBling!!! Sarah contacted me to donate one of her gorgeous breast cancer ribbon badge reels to Courage for Kristi...and it sold today! Thank you Sarah!
Let's meet Sarah of MedBling:
How long have you been crafting? I've been crafting for as long as I can remember. I probably started trying to see my creations around 3rd grade. I had painted faces onto rocks and thought they were the greatest things ever. God bless my neighbors that politely purchased them :)

When did you turn your hobby into a business? I've been making badge reels and stethoscope IDs for family and friends for about two years now, but only decided to bring them to Etsy a few moths ago. It's been fun and exciting to have people purchase my items and I didn't even have to smile and beg :)

What is your favorite Etsy shop? Oh gosh, I have dozens and dozens on my favorites between my original user (where I used to spend all my time buying!) and my selling account. If I had to pick just one, I'd say that right now I spend most of my time oogling over the wreaths created by Posh Therapie (www.etsy.com/shop/lesrab1?ref=pr_shop) I recently ordered one for my mom for her birthday!!

How has Breast Cancer affected your life? My Nannie, her mom and sisters all battled breast cancer. I was just 11 years old when my Nannie was first diagnosed. I can remember watch my mom cry and yet my grandmother was strong and had absolute faith in her cure. She just celebrate her 19th year in remission :) My family has a happy ending, but I know so many others that don't and it breaks my heart. I wear pink for those I love who have battled this awful disease.

Thank you Sarah for your generous donation!
Hugs,
Julie

www.CourageforKristi.etsy.com

Etsy Shop Feature - Sallie Bear

I would like to introduce a wonderful Etsy shop SallieBear and generous crafter behind the shop - Diane. As soon as I sent out a call for help to support Courage for Kristi, Diane was quick to respond. Here is a little about her and your lovely crochet shop:



Fuschia Hand Knit Hat by SallieBear

SallieBear on Etsy

1. How long have you been crafting?

I've been crafting (knit, crochet, sew, etc) since junior high school.

2. When did you turn your hobby into a business?

After my own two children got older, I began looking for ways to use my skills to benefit others. I have a website dedicated to charity crafting - www.yarngarden.webs.com. I also am the chapter coordinator for Bronx HeadHuggers - you can read the announcement on the yarngarde site. My Etsy shop allows me to support my yarn habit and make all the items I can then give away.

3. What is your favorite Etsy shop?

I certainly cannot pick out just one (or even ten) favorite Etsy shops. Everyone one is so talented and just about every shop has something I would love to purchase.

4. How has breast cancer affected your life?

As for Breast Cancer, my mother is a 24 year survivor.




Water Bottle Cozy donated to CourageforKristi.etsy.com



Please visit Diane's beautiful shop SallieBear on Etsy and check out her lovely donations on CourageForKristy.etsy.com

Thank you Diane!
HUGS

Julie

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is right around the corner and I have been brainstorming trying to come up with a new design for the Courage For Kristi shop. Since pink earrings were the focus for the last two years (I am partial to earrings), I decided to try something new.

What do you think?

Courage Bracelet

Believe Bracelet

Thank you for all of your support. Please pass on the word!

Hugs,

Julie

By Your Side Blog has Featured Us!

BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

Thank you so much to Michele at By Your Side blogspot for the kind feature of our charity shop Courage for Kristi. Please check it out.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - Please Support

Another wonderful feature of Courage for Kristi on Designing Impression's Blog!

http://designingimpressions.blogspot.com/2010/09/october-is-breast-cancer-awareness.html

Courage for Kristi - Featured

My lovely Dteam friend Sassybellewares featured my charity shop Courage for Kristi in her wonderful blog.

Please take a moment to look:

http://sassybellesspotlight.blogspot.com/2010/09/courage-for-kristi.html