Welcome to Chit-Chat!

[#1]

Hello everyone! Please take the time to introduce yourself! What you like, what you don't like, (What is my neighbor doing in their yard?!) What your neighbors are like, etc.

I am the team captain, Amelia Thompson. I LOVE Tolkien and Star Wars, with lots and lots of video games under my belt!

[CathysCraftyDesigns]

My name is Cathy Wilson, and I love to make jewelry!! I also love animals of all kinds and hiking/camping/fishing. I currently live in Kentucky with my husband. Combined, we have four sons, two of whom are in the military, one is handicapped, and the last is expecting his first son in March! YAY!!!

I am so glad I was invited to join, Thanks!!

[RadicalWorks]

@M. Cathy - Congratulations on becoming a grandmother soon! :D

[GoodCaptainandCo]

Hi, everyone! Hmmmmm, where do I start, lol? I like nice people, Halloween and Spring, and anything inspirational. I have an angel for a son (who is 12) and an amazing bearded fiance. I live in the rural Midwest and grew up as a tomboy in the woods and on the river. If you've ever heard of Meramec Caverns, I grew up at that camping site and live just a stretch down the outer road from it still.

I became a photographer when I was 15, back before digital was even a thought, and eventually did an internship with a man who began his career as a crime scene photographer (the stories he could tell).

I was the assembly line lead at a factory here for almost five years but quit that job about 7 months ago to really focus on my business and make a go of it. I gave birth to a stillborn when I was about 7 months along and it really changed my perspective on life. I realized life was too short, so I let go of a job that was physically and emotionally horrible and I started my adventure ;-)

Things I don't like are bullies, the news and anything negative, lol. I tend to live in a separate reality and try to surround myself with positive people and things.

I was also a fashion/model photographer for quite some time here in St. Louis and I am addicted to America's Next Top Model, even though I am a tomboy, I'm fascinated by the fashion world and the creation of sets and scenes. Anyone who knows me is always surprised to hear I have a background in fashion photography! So that's one little known fact about me!

I'm really excited to be here and can't wait to chat with everyone!

[Former_Member]

Hello! My name is Autumn Johnson. I am a senior at my high-school, and just received my acceptance into Ohio University to study Studio Art.

I love Studio Ghibli, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and Pokemon.

I have a pet turtle who has been my buddy for 10 years, and a Basset Hound who is still a puppy after 9 years.

I love weird music, meditation and tea. Hope to get to talk to and learn more about all you lovely people!

[Former_Member]

Greetings all! My name is Dallas Jasper, and I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

I love the outdoors, taking a couple of weeks last summer to hike over the Chilkoot Pass in the Yukon and then canoe from Whitehorse to Dawson City with my partner of 7+ years. I also love not only being ON the water, but also below it--both my partner and I are fully certified SCUBA divers, with him being a Dive Master and myself working towards receiving my Master SCUBA Diver certification hopefully by the end of Summer 2014 (I'm currently an Advanced Diver).

If I'm not working at my day job, helping at the dive shop, doing something outdoors or catching up with friends, you can usually find me down in my studio playing with glass and heat :)

[RadicalWorks]

@MissySue - I don't like the news either. Yes, I love learning about new things going on, but that doesn't mean I want to constantly hear about bad things. Lol

@Autumn - Congratulations on your acceptance! :D I love Studio Ghibli, including what Miyamoto said recently, "The problem with the anime industry right now, is that it's filled with anime fans! In order to make a great anime or story, you first need to stop watching anime, and go and watch people." He went on to say that the Studio Ghibli films work so well, is because the characters and their behaviors are what you expect for a real girl, boy, animal, etc. to behave, and not what you've seen from other shows/movies.

As for me, I've learned in my years of art in college, the best lesson one of my art professors taught me was to go outside. Seriously, go outside and sketch EVERYTHING. Don't spend a long time on one thing, scribble down things as fast as you can, as fluid as you can. People walking, running, children throwing a ball, trees bending in the wind, or a squirrel running up a tree. Learn how reality works first, before applying your own twist on it. Never twist up what's already skewered reality; that makes a mess. Lol

@Dallas - I've always been interested in scuba diving, but I don't know how I would fair with only breathing through my mouth. Lol

[OhMySewings]

Hello Everyone !

Thank you for the invitation to this team.
I live quite close to Barcelona, where I was born and I work, and I have two children, a son and a daughter.

I work in a company making the imports and exports, but I would like to quit this job to dedicate my time to my crafts.
I have another shop here in Etsy where I sell beaded jewelry, and two weeks ago I decided to open this one dedicated to patchwork items.
This takes me a lot of time, butI love being occuped the whole day, as in this way I do not have much time to think ...

I expect to know all you little by little ...
Wish you a nice Saturday ! :)

[Former_Member]

Hello

Thanks for the invite.
I'm from Belgium. I have two boys, 4 & 6, and a lovely husband.
I work for a transport company on the export department.
Not that I do not like my job, but I would love to work the craft thing all the time. This way I could be home for the kids more often too...
I love making jewelry with beads, the tiny ones ;-) , I run a bead-shop in Belgium, and recently started making peyote pattern. It's lots of work, but I love doing it so...!

[Former_Member]

I am Lang, busy mom of two girls. I design and sew clothes and shoes for AG dolls. I also enjoy movies, workout, gardening, and travel. I am one who always moving around doing something.
I like the idea of this team. No promotion chit chating..it refreshing! Thanks for having me.
Enjoy your rest of week.

[RadicalWorks]

@Lang - Welcome! :D

@IIeja - That's awesome that you have a bead shop! :D

[Former_Member]

Good Morning and thank you for the invite to join your community! I have spent some reading everyone's introductions and it is impressive company to keep.

My name is Karen and I am relatively new to the Etsy world. I do have my day job in the insurance industry and hope to one day be able to leave it to do what I love and that is creating jewelry!

I started as a buyer of artisan crafted jewelry and admired the designs and techniques, but I also thought "hey, I can do this!" I started small and I am finally ready to start selling my wares. Getting up and running and navigating the world of licenses, permits, tax filings etc.... is daunting!

Anywho, I live just south of Buffalo, NY in what is commonly referred to as the "snowbelt." Yes, that does imply that I have lots of snow on the ground. I don't think I have seen green since November. The long cold winter means lots of time to work on jewelry! LOL

I have a beautiful old home that I love and share with my chihuahuas, Jackson and Violet. My boyfriend and love traveling, wine tasting, riding bikes, and really just enjoying the outdoors when the sun arrives. We like to take advantage of every moment we can.

Looking forward to being a part of the team. Cheers:)

Karen

[Former_Member]

Thank you Amelia! However I forgot one word... oops... I have an ONLINE bead shop. That's something different isn't it?! lol

[FashionelleStudio]

Hi there,

Thanks for the invite Amelia.

I am pretty new to Etsy...my shop is less than one month old! I started my shop with my mom....our shop sells accessories...scarves, hats, jewelry

I live in Toronto, Canada. I have quit my promising but stressful day job. I want to give my creative skills a chance to earn money. I am hoping I can make my Etsy shop work because I love creating items for it!

I love gardening, doing crosswords and working out....trying new workout classes at my gym..LOVE Zumba...

See you around :)

[RadicalWorks]

@Fashionista - Welcome! :D I hope you shop proves to be very successful! :D

[Former_Member]

Hi Everyone!

My Name is Marlene and I'm a stay at home mommy of two kids ages 8 and 3 :) I'm currently homeschooling my 8 year old girl and it's the best decision I ever made! I'm what they call a very "social" person haha but that is only on the internet, outside I tend to be super shy!

I recently discovered Polymer clay (YES I have been living under a rock lol) It completely changed my world. I love to draw and paint and always wished I could work for Pixar or Disney but of course that never happened since I ended up getting married and having my kiddos :)

I started making cake toppers not too long ago and absolutely love it. Then I found Etsy and WOW was I the happiest gal around! I'm so excited to start this venture here!

So nice to meet everyone!

[LeaflingBags]

Hi Everyone!

My Name is Gabriella . I run my Etsy shop with my boyfriend Adam. We make lovely handmade bags with a cute leaf design. We recently become full time etsy sellers, and Im really happy about it.

I love nature and biking. I love fantasy , autumn.

[happyvinyasa]

Thanks for the invitation!

I'm Monica, and I live in Boulder, CO. I moved here from Boston, MA six months ago. I left my career and my yoga teaching jobs to be with my boyfriend who got accepted to school here. I work full time in an office, but would really love to just have my own online business where I can work from home, and have 9 pug puppies while being able to support myself and go on vacations whenever I want! I will make this happen... just a matter of time ha!

I like to say I'm a "jewelry designer" (which I guess I am), yogi, yoga teacher, tennis player, dog lover, wine drinker, and overall a happy human.

Really would LOVE to make etsy my full time job.. I think it's so important to like what you do for a living since we spend SO much time in our lives working.

Have a great day people :)

[RadicalWorks]

@Marlene - I love working with Polymer Clay! I'm glad you've discovered it! :D

@Gabriella - Fantasy stories are awesome!

@Monica - Pugs are so adorable! :D To make your business into a full time job (I don't use "Etsy" as a full time job because Etsy is simply the venue), you will have to start treating it like a full time job. Add items like you're running a brick & mortar shop, with new people looking every single day. Promote on social media like the entire world is watching your every move. And make sure that you're well stocked on supplies for your craft, as well as for packaging and shipping.


Good luck and welcome to everyone! :D

[okac]

I was on my kindle when I saw the invite and I cant type very fast on that... so now that I'm on a laptop...
Hi!
I'm Jesa, I have two rabbits, Ezmo (in my avatar) and Seabee (I have a pic of each of them on my about page)
I live in Milwaukie OR
I like to make cards, in fact, I was feeling really poopy cause I just didnt have any drive to make anything. How many random cards can you make 'just because' right?
I had started an etsy a while back because a few people were interested in some of the simple cards I was making, but I wasnt really serious about it back then.
So near the end of last year I got super determined and reopened my shop mid-january and its been so awesome! I am enjoying making cards again (and whatever other craft I feel like doing at the moment) and I've gotten a few custom orders from friends because they got my FB page invite!

I am actually in my craft room right now working on some cat cards (I asked for ideas and got the cat request a few times) so when I'm down in my living room I'll read back and learn about everyone else.

Thanks for the invite to the group! I love the idea of a group for talking, cause a lot of the other groups are either mostly educational, or people promote and run. I like getting to know people!

[RadicalWorks]

Welcome Jesa! I love rabbits! :D

Cats are very popular right now. Don't know why, but they get a lot of attention. lol

[Former_Member]

Hello! My name is Jess, and I work at a craft store and run my shop here on Etsy :) I live with my fiancee here in Iowa with our 2 geckos (a crested gecko and gargoyle gecko named Flemeth and Braveheart) and we plan on getting married in May of 2015! So that's a very exciting thing to look forward to!

I enjoy making jewelry, painting/drawing, and other miscellaneous crafting. I also enjoy relaxation, hiking, being in nature (I can't wait til spring comes so I can go outside more!), and video games :)

[Former_Member]

@Monica: I love pugs too! But you can probably tell that by my avatar :P

My mom and I have a pug named "Willy", which is also who "Willy's Jewels" is named after :P. Unfortunately, since my fiancee and I moved into our first apartment a year and a half ago we can't have him over since they don't allow dogs here :( He lives with my mom. But he was the main influence towards naming and finding a mascot towards this business :)

[RadicalWorks]

Hi Jess! I have a friend with a bearded dragon named Braveheart! :D Congratulations on your engagement!

[Former_Member]

Hi my name is Lisa,
I'm new to Etsy I have four children, I would say little ones but my oldest isn't very little any more. My boys are 16,7,& 6, my only girl will be two in September. My husband and I have put in a veggie garden for the past two years and it seems to be growing larger every year. For all the other veggie garden enthusiasts we found last year that The Vegitable Gardeners Bible is a wonderful tool for knowing when to plant seeds and what veggies and fruits do well planted with eachother and vice versa, in addition to natural pest control (like used coffee grounds for slugs and snails, and spraying strawberry plants with stale coffee, burnt coffee works really well too for keeping most predators off your berry plants). I love to make jewelry, and playing with my children when they aren't driving me nuts fighting with eachother. I LOVE, Dr. Who, Bones, Supernatural, and Once Upon A Time. Those are pretty much the only television shows I am allowed, by my children and hubby, to watch. My husband has gotten me into Top Gear reruns (UK) very funny. I am currently researching how to take product photos on YouTube, mainly because my photos kind of stink. I love being social, and browsing all of the FANTASTIC items on etsy. I am running an Etsy shop mainly as a way to make money from home so I can continue to stay home with my kiddos. My husband owns his own ornamental iron business and is doing really well at it. He builds gates and hand rails, pretty much anything iron. He has been fabulously supportive of my jewelry making and has even offered to show me how to soldier so I can try my hand at expanding my jewelry making knowledge. Ironicly what my husband does is very similar to what I do, his is just on a much larger scale, mine is much easier to lift and can be portable when needed. Thanks for letting me join your team and I will do my best to be a helpful memeber.

[Former_Member]

Hi! My name is Marijane,
I'm originally from North Jersey but have been living in Scottsdale, AZ since 1995. I've been crafting for as long as I can remember and I think there are very few things I haven't tried. But I guess my two passions are photography and jewelry making - I always come back to those.

I have a full time job which takes up most of my time but realized lately that my house is just overflowing with vintage items mostly from the passing of my and my husband's parents. So here I am again trying something new..

I love spending time on Etsy - on the forums - fixing up my shop whatever. My full time job is really stressful and I find this to be a great and relaxing distraction. Also I love the Etsy community. Everyone is seems to have a real desire to help one another and everyone is very respectful and professional. I also love that I have been meeting people from all over the world - not just the US. How cool is that?