Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Shop Interview: KraftersKorner

For our first shop interview, we would like to present Crystal of KraftersKorner. Crystal has not only been a longtime friend of our family's (best friend to the writer), but also opened her Etsy shop a few months before we opened ours. Together, we have learned the ins-and-outs of running an Etsy shop, the excitement of connecting with other Etsians, and the crazy ups-and-downs of SEO. (That one we're still learning about.) Through Crystal's photography skills, we have able to keep up with what is blooming - or not - in the beautiful state of Missouri, and from her varety of handmade cards and seals, we glean color palette inspiration. If you have taken a peek into her shop recently, you will know what we mean.
 
Crystal has graciously offered to giveaway any two 4 x 6 prints from her shop to one lucky commentor. Please see below for further instructions.



mini cards Christian cross brown cream by KraftersKorner


Is there a story behind your shop’s name?

I knew I wanted something that would incorporate several different types of crafts because I am always looking to try new things. I thought about spelling it with a C, but that name was already taken so I thought why not just spell it with a K and be more original?

Which category is your shop’s best seller?
Right now most of what I am selling is photography because that is most of what I have listed. My hand-stamped items also sell well. I have had card sets sell within minutes of listing them. That is always awesome! :)

How did you discover your crafts?
I started photography when I was given a camera by a fellow CAST member last year. I have no formal training in taking photos, so I say all glory to God for any apparent talent! I was taught to sew by my grandmother at age 7. I taught myself to knit at age 12. My best friend (blog host) gave me some stamps that got me started in paper crafting and has given me tips along the way. I am always open to expanding my boundaries and trying something new.





photo card lake and grassland missouri fall winter by KraftersKorner

 
What inspires your handiwork?
God's creativity in nature.

Your most essential crafting tools are? My camera for sure! It goes everywhere with me. My stamps, ink, and craft punches are pretty necessary also.

What does your work routine look like?
I don't have a set time. Like I said, my camera goes with me everywhere and I take photos wherever I am. I mostly make other things on the weekends. Sometimes I can squeeze them in on week day evenings though.





bluebirds nest eggs aqua blue photo print by krafterskorner

Is there a Scripture verse that particularly encourages you in your work? Proverbs 12:24 “Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.”

Can you recall your first Etsy sale?
I sure do! It was so exciting! I've come a long ways in two years! :) I am about to make my 1,000th sale now.

What is your best piece of advice for new Etsy shops? Get involved with a team or two that can help give you SEO advice and will help promote your shop. The best one I have found is CAST. http://www.etsy.com/teams/6326/christian-artists-street-team-cast (They are a Christian team.)


Your whereabouts on the Web?
I am on Twitter https://twitter.com/krafterskorner1, Pinterest http://pinterest.com/krafterskorner/, and I have my own blog: http://www.krafterskornerscomments.blogspot.com/ , in addition to my Etsy shop.





Most-played worship song? "The Power of Your Name" by Lincoln Brewster and Mia Fieldes, featuring Darlene Zschech. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3adFUYibqk

Latest movie? We just watched A Mile in His Shoes. I highly recommend it.

To participate in the giveaway, please visit
KraftersKorner and favorite any item. Then return here and comment, posting link to the item you favorited. Next week, we will be selecting the lucky recepient, using random.org as our random number generator.

Thank you again for allowing us to feature your shop, Crystal! If you are looking for a fun stamped card, a photo-based gift, or even some tags for wrapping up your Etsy orders, please take a minute or two to browse KraftersKorner. You will find something cute in no time!

Monday, May 13, 2013

It's overflowing and showing us all...

There are certain music groups we listen to all the time (or so it seems), so we deemed it appropriate to use a song from our perennial favorite, Third Day, as our treasury inspiration. Besides the beautiful title of "Your Love Is Like a River," we also enjoy the fact that we can indulge our love of river photography while coordinating with the lyrics. Add a few pieces of rustic jewelry and accessories, and you have one naturally elegant treasury.

'Your love is like a river flowing from my heart...' by HandiworkinGirls

Your love is like a river flowing from my heart When this cruel world tears us apart Your love is like a river flowing from my heart When sharpened words have left their scars Your love is like a river flowing from my heart

And it's overflowing and showing us all
How deep and how wide is Your love
It never stops, it rages on
Your love is like a river flowing from my heart



$10


$5.49


$40


$23


$24


$27.5


$12


$40


$8


$10


$8


$26


$19


$12


$27


$30

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Your love for me is irresistible...

Since we have been centering so many treasuries around the words "love" and "grace," we thought yesterday's collection ought to include a little "joy." We began with the song "Joy" by the Newsboys (the "old" Newsboys), and choose a variety of warm, cheerfully-colored items from the CAST shops to coincide with our theme. It was definitely a joy to piece this particular treasury together!

'Joy that's unspeakable...' by HandiworkinGirls

You give me joy that's unspeakable And I like it, and I like it, yeah Your love for me is irresistible I can't fight it, I can't fight it, yeah


If life is water, I was dry as the Tucson dirt
If it's a gamble, I'd already lost my shirt
If it's a journey, I was dazed without a clue
I flipped a "U" back to the first love I ever knew

You carried the cross and took my shame
I believe it, I believe it, yeah
You shine Your light of amazing grace
I receive it, I receive it, yeah
 



$23


$11.5


$8


$75


$50


$65


$15


$10


$17.99


$16.5


$22


$22.95


$10


$25


$20


$9.5

Friday, May 10, 2013

Perfectly purple...


ACU gift bags reusable birthday party favors camouflage purple lilac flannel by Handiworkin' Girls
Lilac-lined ACU Gift Bags
Time for a peek back into our custom-orders from this spring. We had the privilege of creating camouflage gift bags for a birthday party, and create we did. Today we would like to show you the first quarter of our work for this Army-themed birthday bash: the lilac purple-lined gift bags. Soft cotton flannel was our lining material of choice which, together with our favorite ACU twill, made for a pleasing combination of textures sturdy and snuggly. We mixed two styles of purple buttons - flowers and metallic-edged - along with dainty white flower buttons to add a girlish flair to the otherwise neutral camo exterior. The resulting bags were playful, pretty, and durable - exactly what is needed for a child's party favor.

lilac purple ACU gift bag birthday party favor reusable lined with flannel by Handiwork' Girlscamouflage birthday party favor reusable gift bag purple cotton lilac by handiworkingirls
Purple and Camo gift bag reusable ACU twill Army Brat birthday party favor by Handiworkin' GirlsLilac Camouflage gift bag Army Camo ACU military twill birthday party favor by Handiworkin' Girls



Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Help me dig a little deeper now...

Sparkling diamonds started as the inspiration for this treasury, and what better song to go along with that than "Diamond" by Brandon Heath? A mixture of outdoor photography, deep teal, olive green, and polished silver seemed like the perfect complement to the icy tones of the diamond rings.

'Diamond...' by HandiworkinGirls

My father's father broke this ground Daddy mined till we laid him down Only God knows what they found beneath Now here I stand in my own boots Ax to grind and a point to prove Tangled up in my own roots, it seems

I got treasure up in Heaven
I got dirt all over me
I have only scratched the surface
Of the man I’m meant to be
I got something down inside of me
That only You can see
Help me dig a little deeper now
And set that diamond free



$2475


$43


$20


$15


$4


$74


$32


$60


$28


$22


$109


$38


$20


$20


$5


$24