The MilkShake!!!

This weeks Featured Seller is The MilkShake! You can find a nice range of things in her shop. Check out her interview...


The Basics:
Name: Tessa
Age: 17 1/2
Location: Washington coast
Etsy shop: (www.TheMilkshake.etsy.com)

The Nitty Gritty:
-Can you tell us the meaning behind your Etsy shop name?
Milkshake is my baby's name, my baby is my kitty :)

-When did you join Etsy?
June 17, 2007

-What kinds of things are available for purchase in your shop?
Purses, Wallets, Pillows, Human and Kitty collars, Ornaments,
Photos, Jewelry and more. Some of the purses and wallets are made out of re-purposed fabric.

-What is your favorite item from your shop?
I like everything from my shop for different reasons. Every person has so many different sides to them; I am just lucky to be able to have a place to showcase mine.

-Where do you get your ideas and/or inspiration?
I get it from everywhere...
fabrics I see, shades of color, trees, pretty flowers and old buildings.


-What advice do you have for other Etsy sellers, especially those just starting out?
Add at least 10 things to your shop to start out, get a cute banner, blog and leave people comments on their blogs and go in the etsy forums to promote and make friendships.

Take Bright clear photos, That is a big key!
I have a white poster board I use with a reading light..
It does not have to be an elaborate set up.


-What do you do to promote your shop? Do you blog? Twitter? Facebook? Myspace?
hehehe here I go..
I blog: http://the-milkshake16.blogspot.com/

twitter: http://twitter.com/TheMilkshake

flicker: http://www.flickr.com/photos/32938450@N02/

I also myspace, facebook and go on the etsy forums and chats.



-Why did you decide to join Minor Effect?
To get to know some of the younger etsy sellers.
I have made some very sweet friend at etsy, with all different age groups. These friendships I have made I couldn't find anywhere else.



Fun Stuff:
What is your favorite:
-color?
Teal

-movie?
oh my gosh... I love movies!
I love most of them..
all the old musicals, westerns, comedy, sweet love stories.
No horror movies please! :P

-type of music?
country, christen and and a BUNCH of random songs..

-What item is on your Etsy wishlist?
WOW I could not pick! I have 53 pages of etsy favorites..
Etsy has so many awesome crafters!

-What do you do for fun?
Go on the computer--of course! ;)
lol I go on the computer, scrap book, hang out with my family, photograph, watch a movie, lay on my bed and listen to music, craft, draw and read.

What one toy would you like to throw repeatedly at a brick
wall?
Well I tried thinking of a stupid toy that would be fun to throw, but I can't think of one.
I think it would be fun to throw over and over a bouncy ball! :D

If you could be any super hero, which would you be?
Hmmmmm I don't know,
My siblings know all of them.. and I mean all! lol
I asked them who I should say and Zack said that I should me Wonder Woman and Aliss said I should me Hawk Woman
(don't know who that is.. I am gonna have to go search ;)
I just want to be able to do some Awesome stuff! ;)


-Tell us a little bit about your family.
I live in a big hundred year old fixer upper house on the Washington coast.
In it live: three sisters, one brother, my hard working Mom, ME and a menagerie of pets.

Peasant Soup is Leaving!!!

Well as some of you know (the ones reading my blog)... I am pregnant... AGAIN! We are very excited! But that's not all... soon we will be making the move from Venetie, Alaska back to Middle Tennessee. Not only are we moving but we are driving *sigh*. That will take us over 2 weeks and then we plan on vacationing/camping all the way until July 4th. That doesn't leave me much time to take care of my etsy shop. Anyway I can't really see myself mailing all my items to TN just to ship out again. It will cost me just as much to sell them now at cheaper prices! So that is what I have done! EVERYTHING MUST GO!!! It has all been marked done already. PLEASE PLEASE go see if I have anything that interests you. I am open to trades as well. I will need some things for the kids in the car and we also have NO summer clothes. Oh and I did mention I was pregnant so baby things and maternity things are welcomed.

That being said I will also be handing this group over to GARsticksandstrings soon. If you guys have any questions or anything please feel free to contact me. I will do my best to help out and/or answer your questions ASAP!

Thanks for reading!
Christina

pwnmonster!!!

The Basics:
Name: Yryn ("Yryn" is pronounced like "Irene")
Age: 16
Location: NJ, USA
Etsy link: http://pwnmonster.etsy.com/

The Nitty Gritty:

What is the meaning behind your shop name?
"Pwn" is originally a video gaming term meaning "to dominate" or "to own". Usually it is said once you won in a battle or a trial against someone. They say it was developed by a World of Warcraft user who just spelled own incorrectly. I always liked that word and thought why not use it in my store name.

When did you join etsy?
April 18, 2008

What type of things are available to purchase in your shop?
Cute jewelry and custom art. Once in a while I'll get a plushie request which is always nice doing.

What is your favorite item in your shop?
I'm not sure, it's pretty hard to pick, I think I like them all pretty equally.

Where do you get your inspiration?
Food, flowers, and a bit of Japanese culture.

Do you have any advice for other etsy sellers?
It may take a while to get your first sale, it can take a while to get even views but if your heart is truly into it then you will succeed.

How do you promote your shop?
I like to Twitter once in a while, write in my blog, and just hang around on Etsy hoping someone will find me.

Why did you join Minor Effect?
Well I always wanted to be part of a group with other people who understood what it was like being a young crafter on Etsy. It makes me feel less alone.

Fun stuff:

What is your favorite color?
I'm not really sure,nothing too intensely bright or too intensely dull.

What is your favorite movie?
Hmm.. it could be Wall-E, such a pretty story.

Favorite type of music?
Rock, indie, and 80's

What is on your etsy wishlist?
ALOT, especially cute food soap and squirrel related items.

What do you like to do for fun?
I like to bake, draw, just browse etsy and most of all I can't live without listening music for a day. I like to collect soap, snow globes, deco tapes, squirrel and penguin type things, and converse shoes.

Tell us a bit about your family.
They're a good family. As many times I think they're annoying (and who doesn't get annoyed by their family a bit?) I know I wouldn't want another family except the one I have. I think I was put in that family and given the parents I have because no other parent or family could care for me anymore or any better. Me and my brother are best friends forever but sometimes we like to deny it. My sister is nice too, she does most of my graphics and helps me with confusing business terms. My dad is nice too. Overall I like them alot.

If you could invent one modern convenience, what would it be?
I would invent some type of magical thing that can track down anything I'm looking for, not sure how it will work but just the concept I guess :D

If you were a wizard, how would you exploit your powers?
I would use my powers for the benefit of my loved ones and people in need, i would do it in secret though :)

SALE is Over

The sale is now over. Thank you to everyone who participated in the sales! It was a fun first sale for this group. Keep up to date on sales and giveaways by joining our email list or following this blog.
Thanks again everyone!

Our First Group SALE!!!!!

This Monday, March 2nd through Monday, March 9th Minor Effect will be having a group SALE! Each shop participating has their own sale going on so please check out the shops listed for more details.

http://peasantsoup.etsy.com/
Free gift or $ amount off with every item purchased! Please see listings for details.

http://worksinprogress.etsy.com/
Free pair of "Dorothy's Ruby Red Slippers" earrings with any jewelry purchase! remember to mention this at checkout!

http://garsticksandstring.etsy.com/
25% off first item in each purchase!

http://crochetrus.etsy.com/
Free shipping! Use the code "Reflection" at checkout to receive a refund through paypal.

http://creativecrafts2009.etsy.com/
Scarves are 30% off and cards are 15% all week (prices already adjusted)! Take an additional 5% off the first item purchased this week and an additional 3% off the 2nd item purchased. Please convo CreativeCrafts before purchase.

http://pwnmonster.etsy.com/
10% off! Just use the code "Spring Fever" at checkout or convo pwnmonster before checkout.

http://themilkshake.etsy.com/
Free 5 x 7 photo print of your choice! Just enter the name of the photo print you want and "Daffodils" in the sellers notes at check out!

Remember to check each shop for more details and great items!

CreativeCrafts2009

Here's this week's featured seller!!!

The Basics:
Name: SarahLydia and Abigail

Age: 16, 13
Location: Elizabeth, CO
Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6695391


The Nitty Gritty:
-Can you tell us the meaning behind your Etsy shop name?
When Abigail first started making cards she called her group Creative Crafts, when we decided to start an Etsy shop Creative Crafts was taken, thus CreativeCrafts2009 was born.

-When did you join Etsy?
We joined Etsy on Christmas Day, of 2008

-What kinds of things are available for purchase in your shop?
Right now we have cards, knits, and crocheted items. We will be adding new items soon!

-What is your favorite item from your shop?
Hmm.... probably the Be Joyful Pink card!

-Where do you get your ideas and/or inspiration?
Color, Nature, God, books, anything and everything!

-What advice do you have for other Etsy sellers, especially those just starting out?
Well, I don’t really have any since I am new, other than making sure you do your best to make each product the quality it deserves.

-What do you do to promote your shop? Do you blog? Twitter? Facebook? Myspace?

Right now, we post papers on bulletin boards in stores with business cards. We also blog (http://creativecrafts2009.blogspot.com/ ) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/creative_crafts )

-Why did you decide to join Minor Effect?
There were no teams for young Etsians! I feel like we need to show people that we can do just as well as adults as Entrepreneurs, and still make quality handmade.

Fun Stuff:
What is your favorite:
-color? Green
-movie? Saving Sarah Cain
-type of music? Christian Pop/Rock

-What item is on your Etsy wishlist?

It got sold! Something like this: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18016214


-What do you do for fun?
SarahLydia: Act, sing, run- goof off with Abigail!

Abigail: Dance

-Tell us a little bit about your family.


Well.... we have two parents.......

We have an older brother (Josiah, 18), and two younger siblings – Hannahmarie (11), and Jeremiah (9).

We live in the country, in CO on a ranch.

Works In Progress!!

This week's amazing featured seller is Works In Progress! She is one of two leaders of this group and I am grateful for all the help she has given me.

The Basics:
Name: Kelsey

Age: 18
Location: North Carolina
Etsy shop: http://www.worksinprogress.etsy.com/

The Nitty Gritty:
-Can you tell us the meaning behind your Etsy shop name?
There is a sign, "Works in Progress", on the shed at my grandma's house. I really liked the whole look of it, and it was one of the first "art" photos that I took. And it was that photo that helped me decide to start selling on Etsy. I had planned to branch out in jewelry and such, so I thought that my shop would also be a "work in progress", something that I was always working on changing and evolving.

-When did you join Etsy?
I discovered Etsy accidentally one day about a year ago, and have been infatuated with it ever since. But it wasn't until this past November that I began to sell on the site.

-What kinds of things are available for purchase in your shop?
My fine art photography and jewelry.

-What is your favorite item from your shop?
I would have to say the redhead pendant necklace. She is so adorable! And I love the little purple flower that accents it.

-Where do you get your ideas and/or inspiration?
I go by what I like, what I think looks good, and jewelry I would wear myself. In fact, I often make double, one to keep for me! ;) Also I like really cutesy things, like Japanese kawaii stuff. And I love vintage or retro looks.

-What advice do you have for other Etsy sellers, especially those just starting out?
Promote! No one can buy from your shop if they don't know it exists, right? So you have to get your shop out there. I use a variety of promotional tools and go into Etsy chat as well to get more exposure. Also it is important to list new items regularly so you can be at the top of the searches. And be patient! Especially in this economy, it is hard to make sales sometimes and it might take a while.

-What do you do to promote your shop? Do you blog? Twitter? Facebook?
Myspace?
All of those actually! On my Facebook though, I just have a small Etsy-mini type section.

blog: http://www.worksiprogress-etsy.blogspot.com/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/worksinprogress Myspace: www.myspace.com/worksiprogress90

And I am also on ArtFire!

http://www.worksinprogress.artfire.com/

-Why did you decide to join Minor Effect?
There are some really talented young people on Etsy and I was happy to join in this group showcasing that. I think it is important for them (and me) to have this outlet.

Fun Stuff:
What is your favorite:
-color? turquoise
-movie? Forrest Gump and You've Got Mail (gotta love Tom Hanks!)
-type of music? I love listening to music! I like a lot of indie and U.K. bands. Right now I am really into Noah and the Whale and then The Killers new album. I listen to music for the lyrics and the meanings behind them, so classical music or songs without words are kind of lost on me!

-What item is on your Etsy wishlist?
I have had my eye on some amazing art prints! Especially from http://www.artandghosts.etsy.com/

-What do you do for fun?
I listen to music, do photography, and shopping! I am a shopaholic.

-Tell us a little bit about your family.
There's my mom and dad, and then I have a brother who is a bit older than me. I am the baby of the family!

-What is your favorite Girl Scout cookie?

Thin mints.

-Fill in the blank- I would like to be known as the world's greatest ________

Friend! <3