Introductions!

[Arkolina]

I noticed there wasn't really a team set up for Bedfordshire, and as we're a creative old lot I decided to fix this.

So introductions time!

I work under the name Arkolina, which America from my real life nickname Arko. I'm primarily an illustrator but love applying that to other things like jewelerry and knock knacks.

Your turn!

[Former_Member]

Hi Arko! Great idea creating this team. My name is Magda originaly from Greece and my store is Homedecocrafts that I do box framed themes and other things handmade around the house or friends&family. I always loved making things and it feels great

[Arkolina]

Hi Magda! Thanks for joining and giving a lovely introduction! I've just noticed the amount of typos in my original post so sorry for those!

[KatieLouiseAllen]

Hi Arko- I saw your post on facebook yesterday. Thanks for setting up this team and being willing to look after it!

It'll be really useful to use the team to talk about stuff happening in the area. I'll invite a couple of the people I know IRL to this team.

I'm Katie, live in Bedford and after a few years of illustrating in the evenings, I've just recently packed in the day job and started illustrating fulltime. I do commissions as well as selling work online.

Arko, do you mind if I start a thread on the forum about upcoming events for creative people like ourselves? x

[kasabian2004]

Hi Arko,

Thanks for looking after this team, it would be great to see it used well!

I'm Laura, I run Mello Mallo, making handmade marshmallows and other edible sweet treats and I'm based in Luton. I was invited to join by Katie who I met at Creative Beds networking event :)

Nice to meet you all!

Laura

[Former_Member]

Hello, everyone!

I'm Graham (Or just G) from Dunstable.
I run The Archworks here on Etsy, where I sell gaming influenced custom illustrations. Trying to figure out something else to work with, but at the moment it's all I got.

I'm also constantly trying to come up with a "Perfect" comic idea to run with online.

I'm based in Dunstable along with Arko and we regularly try and reinforce a view in the creative scene in the town whenever we can.

Glad to be part of the team!

-Arch.

[Arkolina]

Katie! I'm so glad you've managed to make your art full time! I'm still struggling with my day job a bit but I hope to get our of there soon! And please feel free to start that thread!

Hi Laura! Great to have you! I hope we can make this little team an amazing place for everyone to hang out and help eachother!

I'd say hello to G, but he happens to live with me and I've already said hello today. ;)

[Former_Member]

Hi to everyone I'm Melissa and my shop is MoosHandmadeGems and I make polymer jewellery I only joined the other day so still adding pieces I've made. I love making different things and glad to join this team xx

[Arkolina]

Hi Melissa! Glad you could join us!

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone! My name is Sarah and I am a blogger from Bedford (www.andthisiswhyiwilldiealonesurroundedbycats.com) - don't ask, long story. I paint and draw and my Etsy account is to sell prints of some of my designs. The lovely Katie invited me to join this snazzy group so a big hello to you all!

[Arkolina]

Hi Sarah! Great to have you!

[Former_Member]

Hi, I'm Becca and I'm based in one of the villages in Central Bedfordshire; that little area where buses only run until a certain time.

I make junk jewellery and accessories out of various items (usually toys, decoden or bits and bobs; I'll be listing them soon!) one-off items and various accessories like knitted hats, headbands and the odd flower crown.

I guess, in short, I like to try my hand at anything I can; variety is a big part of what attracts me to being creative- there is so much out there to try! I finally got an Etsy together after I realised I was making a lot of different things for myself and people were asking me where I'd got it from... that and the boxes and bags full of finished projects I have in my very small workspace.

I try and fit my very small, fledgling business around my full-time job and volunteering; I would be so grateful for any tips anyone has about how to manage setting a business up around employment, as this is all completely new to me! :)

[ButterflyCraftsB]

Hi!

I met Arkolina today and myself and my daughter were privileged to see her work at grass roots level! We made a comment about it, she told us about this team and the rest is history!

I work under Trinketsity and have a passion for chain maille. I'll never give up my job of Montessori teaching because I love it too much but I will always have a thing for chainmaille and other little knick knacks when I get the time.

Sarah Orchard, I know trhat name is long and funny but I LOVE it!

[Arkolina]

So many fantastic people in here already! Amatullah! I'm really glad you found the etsy team after our little chat!

[ButterflyCraftsB]

So am I! I've been telling everyone about you!

[NobbysNibs]

Hi. folks,

Great to see a local team set up on here!

I'm Nobby and I'm new to this team (oh, sorry: that sounds like I'm addressing an AA meeting!). I live in Mid Beds, my hobby is woodturning and I specialise in handmade fountain pens, some of which I sell through my Etsy shop, called Nobbys Nibs.

[KatieLouiseAllen]

Hey Nobby! So fascinating to see so many different artists in the area. Thanks for joining us!

[Arkolina]

Hi Nobby! Like Katie said, welcome to the group!

[TotallySparkler]

Hi everyone - new to this team here too.
I am Martina or Sparkler (this is how most of my online friends know me) from Cople.
I have just revived my etsy shop after a long pause and thought joining a local group might be fun.
I am originally from Germany - I am a My little Pony collector and quite active in this community (yes, the toys!). I help run UK PonyCon - and most of the bits and bobs in my shop are pony related, or geeky.

[Arkolina]

Hi Martina!
Your work is lovely, I'm a toy collector too (inlcuding mlp!)! So lovely to have you here. :)

[TotallySparkler]

Thank you! How exciting - another toy collector! We should meet up one day and drool over each others collections ;-)

[TradeWindsVintage]

Hi Everyone
Thank you to Arko for inviting me to your group.

How wonderful to meet other local artists!

I sell antique and vintage linens mainly but I am currently working on a new shop which will house my new vintage style clothing.

I look forward to being involved and taking time to look at all your shops.

FANTASTIC

many thanks
Sarah

[TradeWindsVintage]

Sorry, It was Katie that invited me, got a bit confused! Not for the first time. :}}}}

Your shops look wonderful

[KatieLouiseAllen]

Thanks Sarah! Glad to have you with us!

[Former_Member]

Hi,

I hope it's OK to join this group.

I am based in a small village near Biggleswade and I make accessories for the yarn crafter - project bags, stitch markers, shawl pins and the like. I've only recently opened my ETSY shop. Any constructive feedback gratefully received!

Thanks,

Jane.