Welcome to GoodVibes, please introduce yourselves!

[Necklush]

Hello, I'm Troy, my partner Stephano and I are artists in Brooklyn NY. We like to find cool art when we are not working. Our blog is http://thisartisyours.com
We decided to open this team to spread some good vibes and to connect a lot of really nice people we have met in Etsy over the years. This is a team for motivational and inspirational content.

Please feel free to introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about you and your shop and what drew you to join this group! Put your links to your shops and blogs!

[AlbinaRose]

I'm Sylvie. Married and I have 3 grown sons ages 27, 24 and 23. Albina Rose was my grandmother's name. She taught me to crochet at the age of 9. My mom is a seamstress and taught me to sew around 11. My dad is a barber and master carpenter. I always spent time in the workshop with him. To this day I love the smell of freshly sawn wood. The first known ancestor on my father's side we have found, was a master armorer who left St. Malo, France in 1640 to go to Montreal, Quebec. So you see, working with my hands is in my blood.

About 15 years ago, I started to make jewelry and was just giving it away to family and friends who told me I should be selling it. So that's what I did. And that's how I got here. I love the idea of a place to share "good vibes", inspirational thoughts, and lots of positive energy. Those are the things that keep me going. Especially when things aren't going so well. And life really is too short to waste precious time caught up in the webs of negativity that will certainly drag you down.

http://www.albinarose.com
http://www.albinarose.blogspot.com
(I am in the process of getting a new logo and revamping my blog which needs to be updated)

[Former_Member]

Hello! My name is Natalie (though my friends call me Nat, so by all means, please go with that ;) My shop name is my Hebrew name, and it's also the one that I prefer to the English version.

I've been making enameled jewelry since I was five years old, when my aunt gave me a quick lesson in her kitchen. She was an art teacher and a working artist... as are most of my family members. I have been captivated with glass and metalwork ever since. Although I was a fine art and b&w photo teacher for ten years, I have always been making a little glass something on the side. Last year, I decided to make the big jump to become a working artist. So far, so good. I love being in my studio almost as much as I like to dance and sing! I am often doing all those things at once, which isn't always easy working with a 1500º kiln. I like to live on the edge ;)

I love the idea for this group ~ staying positive is so important to the survival of artists, since we tend to be our own worst critics! It's nice to know that there is a place to be *truly* kind minus the sarcasm...

My shop and my work are currently evolving on a massive scale, although it's not been posted to Etsy, yet. I am putting the finishing touches on a new website, moving my studio/home to a 10,000 square foot space at the very top of a Victorian mansion, and working like a fiend for a huge vending event at the end of the summer. BUT... here are my current links (I'll post updates when I have more info):

www.etsy.com/shop/NatanyaElka
http://natanyaelka.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/NatanyaElka
https://www.facebook.com/NatanyaElka

These days, it's easiest to get in touch with me via fb, Etsy, or my email natanyaelka@gmail.com

Drop a note, and let me here from you... I love to make new friends. Thanks for inviting me to join you :)

xoxo,
Nat

[fallingleafjewelry]

Hi, I'm Barbro. I'm married and have a daughter, 33, and a son, 30. I live and create my jewelry in one of the most beautiful places, the mountains of western North Carolina. I have changed my business name 3 times since starting jewelry making in 1984. Kind of like the native American tradition of changing names as one grows into a new phase of life. I was "Greco Silversmiths" for about 11 years, then "Chimera Designs" for another 15 and for the past 2 years it's been "Falling Leaf Jewelry". The image of a leaf freefalling and twisting and turning and being blown by the winds in an everchanging pattern inspires me to think in a non-linear way. Don't know why I got into all of that explanation, but there you go.

I hike alot, read alot, discuss alot, think alot. I'm in relationship with a most wonderful person and we have a beautiful circle of friends. We love and support each other as we navigate this sometimes choppy, sometimes calm, and always extraordinary time of life.

There's more...there always is :))

I have two shops here:
www.fallingleafjewelry.etsy.com
www.mountainglory.etsy.com

[fallingleafjewelry]

Hi guys...I love your blogs. Whenever do you find time to do all that computer work? And I love all the positive vibes on all of them.

Sylvie, your wire crochet jewelry is amazing, as is your glass jewelry, Nat. So much talent here already. And of course, Troy, one of these days I'm going to have to invest in a 'necklush'!

[Former_Member]

Hi Barbro, thanks for the positive feedback ~ your work is also very lovely... my computer time only takes up about four hours per week. I guess I write fairly quickly, but I treat my posts like my designs ~ I just get an idea and go with it. I haven't been posting lately, because my entire blog is moving to a wordpress site soon.

Pea. Ess. I have a necklush. Every time I wear it, people stop me and ask me what it is, and where I got it. Those boys are geniuses ;)

[Former_Member]

Hello! My name is Seraphina, I am happily married to my husband of almost 5 years. We have 3 cats, no kids (and don't plan on it! lol) we love to travel, have adventures, and can be downright silly. We are avid art collectors/art lovers and love music and Harry Potter! ;) I am a Co Leader at Art School Grad as a collector and I just ousted my self as a Twilight Fan! ;) I'm strictly Team Edward! I don't own a shop but I love to shop! I went to UIC in Chicago and majored in Creative WRT English w/ a minor in Art History. I grew up in a family of artists and gypsies ( father was in the military) which is probably where I got my wanderlust and love of art from. I love to cook, collect aprons and love Japanese Anime and Manga. I love positive, enthusiastic people who love to encourage and help motivate others as I love to do the same! Thank you Troy for inviting me to join "Good Vibes" for I think it's a fabulous platform for positive people and ideas! Looking forward to meeting all of you and getting to know you. Well, I think that about covers it! Oh, and I'm a BIG winker! ;)
xoxo
Seraphina

[Former_Member]

Oh! I Forgot! My husband and I LOVE Disneyland and go at least once a year! It truly is the happiest place on earth! Especially Space Mountain! ;)

xoxo
Seraphina

[Former_Member]

Hi! I'm Jacob. About five years ago I decided to move from my home country The Netherlands to York in the UK to live with my Partner who was then studying for his PhD. One PhD and two cats later, we're still living together in a beautiful house in the city centre. Our garden has a medieval hall in it (over 700 years old!).

I've always made things, and grew up in a house where my mum was at home making beautiful things herself. I had access to pretty much anything I wanted, which gave me a lot of freedom to create lots of things. My mum is a great artist herself, and has a very nice Etsy shop also: http://galeriegravin.etsy.com (definitely check it out and heart it!).

I also run a blog with her - http://galeriegravin.blogspot.com - although we haven't been updating it a lot lately! Too much going on with making things for ourselves I guess ;).

I run 2 shops on Etsy at the moment: http://dailyportrait.etsy.com is where I sell my paintings and drawings, and http://modernfolk.etsy.com is where I put up my traditional inspired cross stitch sampler patterns.

Looking forward to this group and to see what inspires everyone here!

[brienna]

What a delightful group!!! I'm absolutely thrilled to be around positive people, artists, and friends. I live in England right now with my husband and a neighborhood cat who thinks he owns us (but really lives with our friends two doors down).

We rent a beautiful Victorian townhouse in the heart of Cambridge, and I adore walking the streets and hearing all the beautiful accents. Right now it's been gorgeous, sunny, warm... but don't let that fool you. It's been a rough two winters since we first moved (the worst in the past 100 years in fact). We were completely misled when my husband and I met at Oxford 8yrs ago during the heat wave (and the hottest summer in the past 100 years). What is it with us and extremes?

I'm a surrealist, former college art instructor, yoga teacher, and foodie. My website has my bizarre yoga postures and my curious paintings: http://brienna.net

I just met Troy through Seraphina and I met Seraphina through Art School Grad; what extraordinary people and I'm just ecstatic to be able to share in all of these wonderful goodvibes. Thank you for a brilliant team.

brienna

[lillalotta]

Thank you for the invite! I welcome all good vibes and positive feelings!

I am Angelique born in Sweden, raised in Holland. Married to an english man and totally lost living in the South of France for about 4 years now.
Previously I lived in the US, Ireland, and England.
Mother of five young children, self employed and opened my shop to feed my compulsive need to create.
Originally I would be an illustrator, photographer, crazy about lettering and pretty papers. I however have moved onto fabric stuff ( for now :)

I am an endless ponderer and wonderer, and would love to connect with new people from anywhere!

Nice to meet you!

[happystitchery]

Hi, my name is Penny and I live just outside of London in the UK. I am an avid Disney fan and originally wanted to be an animator. I have worked in many creative industries including design, advertising & publishing. I finally decided last year to start my own business and live the creative dream with the help of Etsy. I still work 2 days a week in the Photography industry and spent the rest of my time creating new characters, crafting jewelry & basically doing what I love. I guess the name of this group enticed me in & I look forward to making new friends and sending good vibes back to you all ;)

[thedots]

My name is Dorothy, and I live in northern California. My etsy shop features catnip toys that show my love of textiles, and are really, really potent ~ cats swear you can smell the catnip through the computer screen! My boyfriend and I share our house with five, formerly-feral cats (Butters; Corm; Stig; Sox and Travis.)

I donate a portion of proceeds from all sales to various local animal charities, including the Berkeley Animal Shelter (one of the best low-kill municipal shelters in the country); The MILO Foundation (non-profit animal rescue); and The ACME Foundation (helping seniors and the disabled with pets needing medical attention).

Aside from my etsy shop, I'm a frequently-booked dog sitter, love riding my in-line scooter, am passionate about music most people aren't familiar with, am interested in reiki for both humans and animals, and two of my favorite books in the motivational category are: "BRAG: The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It," and "No Excuse!"

I discovered this group, and am interested in connecting with like-minded, positive folks.

www.etsy.com/shop/thedots

Cheers!

[Necklush]

Thank you all for such thoughtful intros! It is really nice to sit and relax and read these out at nite instead of haphazardly turning on the boobtube. It's nice! Thank you!

I have another site besides http://thisartisyours.com that I forgot to share...
I like to take pictures on my way to and from work... we use 2 trains and a bus everyday to get to work so I try to find something to occupy my time. For a while I was using that time to post on the Etsy Forums (which is addictive) but was also pushing my blood pressure up... so I have made a new daily goal of: Instead of looking at negative posts on forums I am going to just take a photo instead! I had neglected phototaking for the past few months and decided this was just a perfect way to get out of my Forum reading addiction! Here is the link to my Tumblr: http://tmattisonhicks.tumblr.com

Enjoy!

[Former_Member]

I'm enjoying this thread as well ~ so many lovely people :)

@Troy, this idea you have of taking pics of your commute. I love it! Is that why you asked me about creating a flickr? I am so tempted to take photos of the food I prepare, since I'm somewhat obsessed with eating (in a good way). Does anyone else out there take pics just to do it, aside from your artwork here on Etsy?

xoxo

[Former_Member]

Hello! What a lovely group. Thank you for the invite :)

My name is Becky and I live in Lyon, France with my husband, son and wacky bichon frise. (We'll be moving to Bordeaux in about 2 months, though. Hoorah for new adventures!) Once upon a time I used to work as a corporate lawyer, but a few years ago I decided to start a new career and I went back to school full time to study fashion design, illustration and clothing construction. I opened up my etsy shop while in my second year of design school, and creating handmade items is what I do now.

at etsy:
tortillagirl.etsy.com

my web sites:
tortillagirl.com
mybluehouse.com
skinnyrabbit.com
prettyposies.com

Looking forward to being on this team!

[Former_Member]

Becky your pup is so adorable! I have always admired your work.

Well all of you seem like good peoples to me!

Hi Troy and Stephano! Well Troy was kind enough to invite me here. I actually have not been joining any teams as of late but I enjoy Troy's innovative spirit so I think this team will be a positive thing.

I am Chante' of Junkyard Glitter. Junkyard Glitter was born when I first painted on a vintage purse. This is the purse:

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/31071359

I looked at this tiny little bag and thought why would someone want to get rid of this thing? I said why not jazz this thing up a bit? So there you go. Someone thought that purse was junk and I said au contraire!!

I have been a professional muralist for 11 years. Here is my site: www.jmimurals.com

Painting is the best job and I will be darned if I ever have to get another job. Despite the economy I have been surprisingly busy. Murals have become pretty popular over the past years. People are tired of the same old stuff.

My personal life is this in a nutshell. I am married to the love of my life. His name is Jesse and he is also an artist. We both lost our brothers 5 days apart from each other. So to say we were meant to be together is an under statement. We have two of the most handsome long hair weenie dogs. Tucker and Duke. Dachshunds are extremely sassy and naughty, two perfect combinations.

I am Italian so I guess that means that I am super quiet and not dramatic at all. I love Etsy waaay too much. I feel sometimes I am in a bad relationship with it.

I am excited to be on a team with such sweetness and talent. Thanks Troy!!

[Necklush]

You are very welcome! And welcome all you new peeps! Happy Easter::) - Troy and Stephano:)

[Necklush]

And thank you everyone for providing links to all you do!~ So many times you just identify people with that tiny little avatar, it's nice to learn and see more about you... very very cool...

[nivenglassoriginals]

Great reading about you all!

Jacob I love your daily portrait idea!

I have an etsy shop most recently full of glass guardian angels and divas. Fun little projects that I can sneak in around the larger panels that occupy most of my time during the day, not to mention space in my kiln.

Here's a peek:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29543630@N08/

[Davs]

Hey everyone! I'm Sarah but I go by Davs on Etsy and sign my paintings Davs too. I live in Lewiston Idaho which is also referred to as the LC Valley because Lewiston Idaho is right on the border of Clarkston Washington with a river running through it. I moved around a lot before I had my two boys but think I'm here to stay for a while. I've been an artist all my life, self taught and my dad's an artist too, but really started painting everyday a little over a year ago I think it's really helped to keep me grounded and given me a kind of stability that I didn't have before. I also listen to audio books while I paint and read at night so if anyone wants to talk about books I'm into it!

Me on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davs-Art/190397124307722

My blog:
http://davenportal.blogspot.com/

My shop:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Davs?ref=si_shop

[Davs]

BTW, Troy I'm FB-ing your blog... love it!

[Necklush]

thanks Davs, and welcome to the group! Welcome everyone else that are new too:) Fun to read all of your thoughts and input... thank you! -Troy

[Necklush]

Welcome everyone! And welcome new people! Be sure to introduce yourselves! Hope u all have a great weekend- troy

[ByMarthaGrace]

Hi, my name is Martha, I'm going to try to make this short and less like a biography because I can go in depth on any and all of my interests such as my reading up to 10 books at a time which include some of my favorite authors such as Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Denise Linn, Greg Braden just to list a few. I listen to a variety of guided meditation cd's in which I've experienced some wonderful energetic healings. I follow and study the teachings of The Secret and Abraham by Esther Hicks, and the art of Feng Shui and learning about new things like cellular memory and sound vibration. I'm a musician and play my own music. I like to make my own gourmet pizza vegetarian style. I love my 10 year old cat that I rescued from an animal shelter. I enjoy reorganizing my furniture and give my office a new and refreshed environment to create in. I happen to love the thrill of rollercoasters and theme parks with good friends and family. Life is good!