Introduce yourself & say Hello!

[#1]

The Made in Devon team is a little over a year old and is still evolving...

So whether you are brand new or have been a team member a while, do pop in, say hello and tell us what it is that you do. What is it about being creative in Devon that is important to you? What would you like from this team?

This team can evolve into whatever matters to you! If you don’t see a discussion you would like to engage in – why not start one yourself! Ask questions, offer advice, get something off your chest – get involved and see what happens....

To get the ball rolling – I am Lynn, a printmaker in Exeter and part of Double Elephant Print Workshop. Mt Etsy shop is coming up to 3 years old in July. I’m pretty pleased with how it’s going – but I had v modest aims of selling one print a month, & v happy to have exceeded that. It was partly the colour of Devon soil that encouraged me to move into the area – but that’s a longer story.....

I’ve noticed this comment in the origin “welcome” thread from Ren from Fairysteps and think it would be a good idea to reiterate it here -

“For all members...

If you click on the 'Subscribe to digest' link on the left hand side menu of this page, you will receive all updates that happen within the Made in Devon team!

A great way to make sure you don't miss anything!”

BIG FAT DEVON WELCOME TO ALL.

[Lasercutz]

Hi John - welcome to the team. Lots of good advice here and if you haven't seen it we have a Facebook page which you may want to share ;)

Will pop and look at your web pages ;)
Best
Dave

[Former_Member]

Hi my name is Sue, I am very new to Etsy although I have had a few sales due to people asking before I had a chance get them on here. But any help I can get I will appreciate.

[Lasercutz]

Hi Sue - welcome to the team ;)

Nice shop - It would be worth adding a bit more in your shop profile and add shop policies etc. as soon as you can.

Best
Dave

[ChummyMummyDevon]

Hi I'm originally from Manchester but now live in Paignton with my 2 boys and little girl, husband and zoo that is our pet collection! I've always loved craft but have previously been a buyer. Since having baby number 3 thought I'd teach myself crochet. I've only been doing it 6 months and decided that as I'm not returning to work I really need a new project and so abeautifulabode was born. I also have a blog which I regularly link to my shop to increase traffic.

I'm trying to treat etsy more like social media and less like a business website as by reading others feedback that's the best way to make it work. If anyone's interested in doing guest blog posts to help generate additional traffic for their own shop then feel free to get in touch and I'll link your post to your shop. If you want to check it out first my blogs www.abeautifulabodedevon.blogspot.com

Thanks

[NaturalMagicArt]

Hi I'm Gillean, I joined today. I live in Mid Devon although grew up in Torbay I've been moving slowly north over the years (with a brief sojourn to the Thames Valley for IT work in the early noughties). My Etsy shop has been open a few years, but I've only really be concentrating on it for the last year as I originally set it up to sell off some cards I'd had printed. I bought myself a printer last year and have been selling posters and calendars, unfortunately it won't take card and proper card printers seem to cost a fortune. I do other crafts as well, mainly wool, like crochet and felting and have wondered about selling items on my shop but not sure if it's worthwhile because of the time and pricing items to sell. How do other people price up there stuff, do you guess or factor in your time as well? I don't have huge amounts of time because I work as well although I have just managed to agree a drop in my hours so I'll only be working 3 days a week instead of 4 for the next year.

[Lasercutz]

Hi Zoe and Gillean welcome to made in Devon ;)

Pricing can be a nightmare - each craft may have a different formula as well but I tend to look at market rates. Undercutting and not making much profit can kill the market so it can be a fine balance.

I am full time doing this so yes my time plus all other expenses are included in the cost.
Best
Dave

[LynnBaileyPrintmaker]

Hello to all new team members - I shall be sending you the "official" welcome message in a mo.
Also seen that there are quite a few new members yet to pop in & and give a wave here. It is encouraging seeing how this team is gradually growing.

Thanks Janner & Dave for welcoming people in this thread.
I’ve been a bit over extending myself lately, but hope to be back ‘stirring things up’ again soon.

Cheers all

Lynn

[Former_Member]

Hello! I'm Lily, running the Bunyip Beads shop on behalf of the owner Mattie. We have a bricks & mortar shop in Exeter, and sell on our shop website too - hoping that Etsy will bring us some new eyes on our handmade jewellery! Pleased to be a part of the Made in Devon team :)

[Lasercutz]

Hi Lily - welcome ;) Think we met at one of the Creative Project Facebook page meets - sadly not had chance to pop down since!

Best
Dave

[Hillfolkillustration]

Hi everyone, I'm Beth and have just started up my first Etsy shop - Hillfolk Illustration - selling custom family portraits. I'm a graphic designer by trade and decided to start doing this as a way to earn a few extra pennies whilst on maternity leave (although I would happily do this instead of my day job for sure!)
I've already got quite a few orders by word of mouth through my Facebook page, but am keen to connect with other local creatives, as well as getting some advice from more experienced Etsy sellers about how to make it a success! X

[sundaybestdolls]

Hi i'm paul, i live in torquay with my partner & dog!..been making porcelain dolls for over 25 years now, just past my 2nd year on etsy and enjoying every day.

[YellowT4Studio]

Hi Beth and Paul.
Welcome to the little corner of sanity. Some lovely items there from both of you.

Janners

[Former_Member]

Hi all,

Giving you all a wave from "sunny" East Devon. I've just joined the team today, having been on etsy for about a month or so. My passions are two-fold: yarn art (i.e. knitting and crochet) and beaded jewellery (namely pearls and seed beads).

I'm currently on maternity leave (due date 3 days and counting....) so hopefully will be using time away from the office to pursue my interests in all things crafty!

[LynnBaileyPrintmaker]

Greetings to lots of nice new members!
Lovely to see the team grow.

Talking of growing - Good luck with the maternity leave plans Gemma, have you "popped" yet?
Expect you are a bit busy at the moment if you have!

Hope to have more time to look around everyone's shops later today...

L

[DoraCountryLady]

Hello everyone! My name is Andrea Bösche. I am an addictive knitter.
In October I will move to Paignton. In the moment I still live in Wales.Originally I am from Berlin in Germany.
It would be lovely to meet some local crafty people in my new home town. I am happy to be member of this group.
My little label is called Purple Valley Design. Art yarn, Waldorf toys like felt people and rainbow musical arbleruns, handknit hats and socks, dolls, counted cross stitch kits and retro toys are the things I have on my etsy shop.
I will visit all your shops in the next weeks and leave some "love".
Looking forward to prosperous networking!
Andrea

[Former_Member]

Hello everyone,

My name is Mariana Wilson and I live in beautiful Torquay. I am an avid crocheteer and my great passion is creating little amigurumi creatures that make people smile and go "awwww". I also do crochet jewellery. Apart from my Etsy shop, I have a website that offers free crochet patterns and I volunteer to do regular craft stalls at the seasonal fairs organised by my local church in Babbacombe. Dates and details of the next fair are going to be posted on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/lonemercreations. Needless to say, you are all welcome to attend.

Looking forward to connecting with more "crafty" people from the area.

Mariana

[Former_Member]

Hello Devonians :)
I'm Mandy. I'm very new to Etsy really. I opened my shop in 2009 but never really got it off the ground back then. I've decided to take it seriously now and learn all I can about online selling. Any and all critique and advice is very, very appreciated. I really don't know too much about how teams work or how to promote my shop on Etsy.

I live on Exmoor, about 12 miles out of Barnstaple - almost on the border with Somerset with my partner (a pure-bred Devonian) and our animals. We rent a cottage on farm and often have red deer practically in our back garden. It is blissful here!

I'm also an illustrator and I teach (illustration) at the local college part-time. I'd love to hear from anyone creative very locally as I'm fairly new to the area (from Cornwall) and I'd love to connect with the arty-crafty community locally.

[Former_Member]

Lynn Bailey, beautiful prints! I wish there were a printmaking studio closer to here (Barnstaple area). Double Elephant looks wonderful.

[Lasercutz]

Hi Mariana, Andrea and Mandy ;)

Best
Dave

[HeartforHeart]

hello everyone!

i am a 17 year old entrepreneur based in plymouth, devon (england). the dual environments of a busy city and breathtaking countryside provide constant inspiration; i actively participates in preserving the wonderful environment around her, which is emulated in my work.

i have no formal qualifications, but i am passionate, charismatic, and ambitious. a thirst for knowledge and interest in all areas evolved into an extraordinary combination of business sense and raw creativity! :)

melting coloured pigments of wax onto a hot iron & passing the iron over paper. encaustic art: it is free, uncontrollable, expressive, colossal. this is emotion and beauty everyone can relate to and find themselves in - my main medium of art.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/247486687/conflate-a7-original-glossy-encaustic?ref=shop_home_active...

i've just had my artwork featured on the front cover of a local, cultural and FRE magazine: Made in Plymouth. you should check it out.

i also have a website: http://i-am-empowered.wix.com/iamempowered and facebook page https://www.facebook.com/iamemp0wered as well as many other social networking accounts.

[Lasercutz]

Hi Ellie - welcome ;)
Best
Dave

[Former_Member]

Hello everyone,

I'm Scott just ventured into bespoke wooden gifts a year ago or so, as well as home furniture making I like to keep everything one of a kind.

I make small things like coasters and chopping boards from locally cut wood, some of which I cut myself. I like to play with epoxy resin too making things like my best selling "pencil coasters" https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/229100142/bespoke-pencil-epoxy-coasters

I am happy to help anyone in any way and will probably be asking some questions!

Scott @ BespokeOak

[Lasercutz]

Hi Scott - great idea, they look great ;)

[LynnBaileyPrintmaker]

Greetings all new people,
Thanks to the team for welcoming each other and apologies for keeping a bit of a low profile for quite a while. Sometimes it all get a bit much.

I shall be doing a bit of catch up now & send the "official" welcome note to everyone who's joined the team over the past month or so.

Great to see the team growing all the time!

Cheers

Lynn

[ElysiumDesignsuk]

Hi everyone, I'm Carla I live in Paignton. I opened my etsy shop in September, I'm just getting the hang of what to do!

Before that I was selling in a couple of local gift shops.

My shop Elysium Designs sells jewellery but I am also planning on opening a shop with my husband, he will sell sumi-e and I will sell candles and knitted and felted items.