Featured Friday - Meet the Captain and the Leaders of your Amy's In the Arts Team

To kick off our first Amy's in the Arts features...I would like to introduce you to your fearless leaders and their Etsy shops



Please give a "WOOT WOOT" for our Team Captain:
Amy Dionne and her Etsy shop Heart of Autumn

How long have you been on Etsy?

I'll have my one year Etsyversary on Saturday June 23rd!

Describe your creations in your shop

Art quilts, bags, notebook covers

Are you an artist full-time?

Nope - I have a full-time day job.

What is your goal as our Team Captain?

My goal for the team is an active community of networking in a safe environment.

What does being an Amy mean to you?

Names are powerful, and sharing the name Amy creates an instant bond. No matter how different we are, or how different our shops are, we still have
a common element that brings this team together.

Where else can we find you?

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Website and Blog

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Now can we hear a "YAY YAY" for team leader:
Amy Richardson and her Etsy shop Designami

How long have you been on Etsy?

 I have been on etsy since 2008, however just became actively involved in 2012. I have joined several teams to include Amys in the Arts, Wired Team, and 2012 Jewelry Making Challenge Team.

 Describe your creations in your shop

I sell jewelry. I really enjoy wire-wrapping tumbled glass, shells, and anything that has a "natural" feel to it. I focus on jewelry making, but have begun to expand my product line to include photography, corn bags, hair accessories, and my favorite: Scarf jewelry. I pride myself on selling my jewelry at reasonable, affordable prices. I sell online but also frequent craft fairs in southern Maine.

Are you an artist full-time?

I am not an artist full-time, but I wish I could be. I work in health care full-time and creating is my way of destressing and it is very much a part of my everyday life.

What is your goal as a Team Leader?

My goal as a leader on this team is to engage the members. I have begun treasury challenges that offers opportunity for members to be promoted by selecting an item from their shop to serve as an "inspiration" for treasuries. I would love to see more members get involved. I also hope to start themed threads for the Amys to showcase holiday items, seasonal items, etc.

What does being an Amy mean to you?

Being an Amy means being unique, being compassionate, helpful, and a friend. My shop name is Designami which is a french twist on "Designs by Amy" and "Designs for friends". "ami" in french means friend.

Where else can we find you?

I am not a social networking kind of girl, so you won't find me on facebook, twitter, etc. I focus on promoting on Etsy. I do have a website where I advertise my upcoming craft fairs. Visit my website at: www.designami.com


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Give a "ZING ZING" for your team leader:
Amy Averitte and her Etsy shop fAveritte creations

How long have you been on Etsy?

I joined Etsy as a buyer in 2009, but did not list anything in my shop until January of 2011.

Describe your creations in our shop

Fun, unique, bright, silly, custom and personalized decor and handmade toys for the young and young at heart!

Are you an artist full-time?

I am very blessed to be able to be an artist full-time and stay at home with my toddler son.

What is your goal as a Team Leader?

I will be featuring Amy's in the Arts team members on our team blog. My goal is to help provide another source of promotion and marketing to help broaden traffic to our shops and web presence.

What does being an Amy mean to you?

Strength. Creative soul. Caring. An abundant amount of sillyness and dancing. A passion for life and complete joy in the small things.

Where else can we find you?

Facebook
Twitter
Blog
Pinterest

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And finally a "YOW YOW" for team leader:
Amy Barber and her Etsy shop ellasue designs

We will have to catch up with Amy Barber later on...she will be in charge of keeping up with our team Twitter.

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Please check back every Friday to discover Amy's, Aimee's, Amie's, Amee's...ok you get the idea...and their stories behind their creations and shops!

Introducing Amy Jenkins, Cozy Rampage

Want to get to know us Amys better?

Here continues a series of getting-to-know-you interviews.
Next up: Amy Jenkins of Cozy Rampage

How long have you been an artist, and how long have you been active as a business artist?
I've been a professional artist for over 25 years, and started my first business in 1996.

Are you an artist full time?
Part time each Artist/Housewife

Who or what inspires you to create?
EVERYTHING. I'm Easy.

Describe your work space.
I have moved and had many spaces over the years. At the present, I have a dedicated room in my house for extreme crafting- 3 sewing machines, Dremel set, bins of fabrics and projects, hand tools. The larger tools (drill press, sander) are in the next room, which is also the garage. The electronics toolkit has migrated upstairs into the office to be closer to the computers.

What kinds of things do you like to do in your free time?
Read, ride my bicycle, cook, mix fancy cocktails

What is your favorite handmade item, made by you or given to you?
I have a killer wooden carving of a buzzard that I purchased at a roadside stand in Jamaica in 1971.

What does being an Amy mean to you?
I am beloved! And a good friend to many. Wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy

Want to learn more about Amy Jenkins? Check out this interview here! And find more Amy at CozyRampage.com, Twitter, and Etsy.

Introducing Amy Olszak, Handmade by Amy

Want to get to know us Amys better?
Next up in our series of getting-to-know-you interviews.
Amy Olszak of Handmade by Amy

How long have you been an artist, and how long have you been active as a business artist?
I’ve been an artist all my life, for as long as I can remember. My mom stayed home to raise my sister and I, and we were always doing some kind of crafty project. Even when I went off to school, while I was majoring in the practical business field I always had at least one art class each semester to keep my sanity, and I ended up with an Art minor. I started scrapbooking in college and that lead to creating handmade cards. Friends started asking me to make cards for them and encouraged me to sell my creations. It wasn’t until 2007 that I began really selling my cards to the public, and I still get really excited when I get an order from a part of the world I haven’t previously sold to. I’m up to 13 different countries!

Are you an artist full time?
I started out with my business part time while working a full time job, but I went full time as of June 2008, selling both on Etsy and locally. Now, with the birth of my first baby this April I’m back to part time, as I now have the job of full time mommy! Because I have less time, my business has developed into more graphic design and less of the intricately handmade cards I used to make. My biggest selling items are address labels. I started making them for myself, as I love to decorate my mail, and I had no idea how popular they’d be when I started offering them in my Etsy shop!


Besides our new baby boy, we also have four furry children – a beautiful, energetic white boxer named Lola, and three cats: Gracie, Cumin and Figaro. We always said our house was a zoo, and ironically, our baby boy’s initials spell ZOO! With such a chaotic and busy life right now, I’m trying to simplify my business life. So this year for the first time I’m selling custom digital files for Christmas cards. Buyers purchase the digital file and can print as many cards as they’d like from home or send the file anywhere they choose to get printed. They can often find cheaper printing alternatives this way. Though I will still offer printed cards for those who want them.


Who or what inspires you to create?
I think most artists would tell you that they’re inspired by pretty much everything! Love, life, family, nature… the important thing is to pay attention to the world around you.


Describe your work space.
I used to have a whole room in our house devoted to my art and crafts. When our baby was born I had to compromise so now share our home office with my husband. It’s a little more cramped, but I have a window that looks outside as well as pictures and artwork to keep it inspiring. Most days you’ll actually find me on the couch, with a baby in my arms and trying to type one-handed on my laptop.


What kinds of things do you like to do in your free time?
Free time? What’s that?! With an infant it’s hard just to find time for my business, though we do enjoy getting outside and spending time in nature – at a lake, hiking or just sitting in the yard watching the leaves blow in the breeze. I also still love to scrapbook.


What is your favorite handmade item, made by you or given to you?
My favorite item I have made recently is probably the set of three monkey paintings I did for my baby boy’s nursery. They’re fun and colorful and though I had no idea at the time, I now see they match my son’s personality perfectly! I also now fully appreciate my mommy cards I make and also sell in my Etsy shop. (A mommy card is like a business card for the hip and modern mom) They’re so handy, especially for us new moms who attend a lot of mom groups and play dates. When I meet another mom, instead of scribbling my contact information on a scrap of paper found deep in my diaper bag I hand this cute card that not only has my contact info but the names of people in my family. I get compliments on them all the time!


What does being an Amy mean to you?
I always loved my name and felt it suited me well. I believe an Amy to be fun-loving and someone who enjoys life; someone who surrounds themselves with loved ones and gives of themselves without expecting anything in return. The glass is always half full to an Amy.

Shop on Etsy: http://amyzo.etsy.com
Portfolio on Flickr: www.flickr.com/handmadebyamy.com
Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Raleigh-NC/handmade-by-amy/25867504144
Email: amy@handmadebyamy.com

Introducing Amy Juhasz, Chicy Creations

Want to get to know us Amys better?
Here's the first in a series of getting-to-know-you interviews.
First up: Amy Juhasz of Chicy Creations

How long have you been an artist, and how long have you been active as a business artist?
I have loved sewing and crafting since I was about 10. My grandma taught me how to make a quilt and from there I was always wanting to sew things. After I had my daughter in 2007, I started making hair bows, dresses, onesies, burp cloths, and other sewn goodies. In early 2008 I started thinking about selling some handmade items, and opened an etsy shop in April and started selling hair bows. Over the last year and a half I've added headbands, beanies, tutus, onesies and some day hope to work up the courage to add a few dresses here and there.

Are you an artist full time?
My first and most important job is being a full time mom. My daughter will be 2 Christmas Eve and we are expecting baby girl #2 in early March. She keeps me busy, but during nap time and at night I craft away, creating new items and filling orders.


Who or what inspires you to create?
My daughter, I'm always finding new ribbon to match new outfits of hers and whenever I create something I really love, I pass it on to my customers.

Describe your work space.
We have a spare room I'm lucky enough to use for working in. Nothing fancy, a couple desks and shelves.

What kinds of things do you like to do in your free time?
These days it feels like I don't have much free time, but when I do, I love to spend it with my family. In the spring we love a good hike. We also love to travel, short or long trips, we love it! I am also perfectly content spending an evening at home with a pizza and movie with my hubby and daughter on the couch. I do love to read, but find it hard to finish a book anymore!


What is your favorite handmade item, made by you or given to you?
Oh this is a tough one! I have so many things I love, I'm a sucker for handmade...but first thing that comes to mind is a crochet beanie I ordered from AvaLoos on Etsy for my daughter. I love it. I'm going to have to order one for me and the next little one I think!

What does being an Amy mean to you?
Growing up I had a love/hate relationship with my name. There weren't many other girls named Amy at my school...I also felt it was too boring and short, I never really appreciated that it wasn't all that common in my area. Since then I've "embraced" it and couldn't picture myself being anyone other than Amy.

Shop address: www.chicycreations.etsy.com
Blog address: www.chicy-creations.blogspot.com
Twitter: @chicycreations
Email: chicy-creations@hotmail.com