NutsforPaper

In celebration of the new year, I wanted to feature a shop with planners and calendars.  I found exactly what I was looking for right at www.etsy.com/shop/NutsforPaper

Weekly Planner

Etsy Paper:  Tell us a little about yourself?
Mafalda & Catarina:  Hello, we are Mafalda and Catarina, we are the creative duo behind the Nuts for Paper brand and Etsy shop. We have known each other for one decade. We both come from a graphic design background though we like different things in it. Mafalda's is the illustration expert and Catarina is the typography guru. We are both born and raised in a small town near Lisbon, called Torres Vedras. Our city is quite famous for it's Carnival and we both like to celebrate it a lot.

Etsy Paper:  When did you open your shop on Etsy?
Mafalda & Catarina:  We opened it July of 2013. 

Notebooks

Etsy Paper:  Tell us about your shop.
Mafalda & Catarina:  We are both collectors of stationery, especially notebooks. That's our main product. But we also do planners, calendars, notepads, wall art, illustrations and postcards. At least for now, because we have many plans for the future.

Etsy Paper:  What is it about paper that draws you to create with it?
Mafalda & Catarina:  We love to draw, and the paper for us is still the way of doing it. Sharing the love we have for notebooks and illustration in the form of creating them and making them unique products for each of our clients is our way of share a little bit of love and paper with everyone. And despite this world is becoming more and more digital, paper is not dead!

Etsy Paper:  Do you remember the first item you made, and if so, do you still have it?
Mafalda & Catarina:  The first item we've made was a A5 softcover cookbook with hand painted illustration cover with our mascots - the squirrels. And no, we don't have it anymore. We sold it to a friend.

Squirrel Art Print

Etsy Paper:  Why did you decide to become on Etsy seller?
Mafalda & Catarina:  We wanted to open an online shop. We already knew Etsy and thought it was a great home for our products, because it's not just a selling platform but also has a community of makers around it that are willing to help and also appreciate others' works.

Etsy Paper:  Do you sell mostly online or at craft shows?
Mafalda & Catarina:  We mostly sell online, but only in the second half of 2014 we started to bet more in crafts shows and flea markets.

Etsy Paper:  How do you get the word out about your products?
Mafalda & Catarina:  We mainly use the Etsy and Facebook, but we've been also making some contacts and partnerships with national and international bloggers. This past year we were also lucky to appear in the Time Out magazine too.

Address Book

Etsy Paper:  How do you package your items?
Mafalda & Catarina:  Of course our package had to be in paper too!  We created a envelope in kraft brown paper, that we sew with our sewing machine and then we have some red baker's twine and a label with our brand. Everything goes inside of a padded envelope.


NutsForPaper is the perfect shop to get you organized and inspired for the new year.
Read more about these lovely, creative ladies on their About Page.

Until next time,

Jenni

Etsy Paper Team, Captain

Edelweiss Post

This month I chose a shop that sparked some curiosity in my mind, www.etsy.com/shop/EdelweissPost. 

Frida Kahlo Stationery

I never realized old stamps can still be used as long as the amounts on them add up to the new requirements.  What a beautiful idea Patrick had in creating the most gorgeous stamped envelopes to buy and use.  

Love Note Stationery

Patrick also had another great idea when he decided to reply to my interview in the form of a letter.  

The letter offers a peek in to the kind, sentimental person he is.

Orange Stationery

Dear Etsy Paper Lovers,

I live in beautiful Minneapolis, Minnesota with my husband, Scott and our little red fish, Ruby. We have about a foot of snow on the ground as I look out my window.

My wedding inspired me to open my shop in 2012. I wanted to pay homage to my stamp-collecting grandfather, so I decorated our wedding cake with colorful bunting I made using old stamps from his collection. You can see the stamp cake in our wedding film here:vimeo.com/27956172 

In addition, I discovered that old stamps are still valid as postage as long as they all add up to the current mailing rate. So I began to scour local "mom & pop" stamp collecting shops for colorful vintage stamps for our wedding invitations. They were a huge hit. For certain guests, I used specific stamps I knew would have meaning for them. For example, my dad is a pilot, so I used all airplane stamps. My aunt rides horses, so I used all horse stamps on hers, etc. 

The more time I spent with stamps, the more I became addicted to these tiny pieces of art and began to curate a large collection of my own. But unlike Grandpa who kept his buried in thick catalogs and dusty boxes deep inside his study, I wanted to share my vintage stamps, dispatching them through the postal system and beyond. Grandpa explored the world through his stamps but I wanted to share my stamps with the world so that other people would be inspired to send mail and keep our postal system alive.

The internet, for all its efficiency and convenience, has made communication something you cannot touch, cling to, keep, and pass down. When is the last time you received a thoughtful hand-written letter, a tactile note or a party invitation in your physical mailbox? 

Postage is a beautiful but dying art form. Our mailboxes have been relegated to the status of junk depositories and checking the mail has become a chore rather than the adventure it once was, fueled by anticipation. With my shop, I want to help change all this in my own little way. 

Regards from The Land of 10,000 Lakes,
Patrick

P.S
People often ask about my shop's name, which also stems from my wedding. All of our wedding flowers were chosen not only for their symbolism, but also for the role they play in various films (I'm a film major and we are huge movie buffs). One of the flowers - our boutineers - was edelweiss, an alpine flower made world-famous by Roger's and Hammerstien's haunting ballad in 'The Sound of Music'. Edelweiss symbolizes our common Bavarian ancestry and is also a symbol of courage and male fidelity. Suitors had to brave the treacherous Alps in search of this rare flower which only grows high in the mountains, as proof of their devotion, often at the cost of their lives.

Polar Bear Stationery

As you can see Patrick is creative and seems to have a heart of gold.  What a gorgeous shop!  

There's no better time to pick up the pen and start writing letters again.  

Until next time,

Jenni

Etsy Paper Team, Captain

Want to read a bit more about Patrick and Edelweiss Post?  Have a look at his About Page, www.etsy.com/shop/EdelweissPost/about

PrettyByrdDesigns

PrettyByrdDesigns

Introducing Beth from PrettyByrdDesigns!

I chose Beth's shop because it reminds me of Fall.  Although she has a great variety of items, the Fall items have been catching my eye lately.  She is also having a sale through the end of November.  The coupon code Take20 gives you 20% off item totals more than $10.  

Autumn Card

Etsy Paper:  Tell us about yourself.
Beth:  Hello! My name is Beth and the name of my shop is Pretty Byrd Designs. I make greeting cards, journals, gift tags and decorative boxes. I live with my husband, Terry, and our 12 year dog, Carmen, in Northern Ohio. I am a secretary by day but my paper crafting business is my true passion.

Etsy Paper:  When did you open your Etsy shop?
Beth:  I opened up my Etsy shop at the beginning of 2013. 

Card Set

Etsy Paper:  Tell us about your shop.
Beth:  I began making cards for my own use, to send to family and friends. But my love of creating took over and I found myself with more cards than I could possibly use. I began selling them to friends, at local shops and at craft shows. At the suggestion of several friends, I opened my Etsy shop, Pretty Byrd Designs. I began experimenting with other paper crafts and started selling mini journals, gift tags and decorative boxes.

Etsy Paper:  Do you remember the first item you made, and if so, do you still have it?
Beth:  One day I signed up for a card-making class at our local library and something clicked. I’ve always had a love of paper and playing around with colors and textures. I dabbled in painting and drawing and calligraphy for a bit. But after that class, I was hooked. I still have the first card I made that day. It’s just my reminder of where it all began.

Etsy Paper:  Is there a certain color or motif that you are repeatedly drawn to.
Beth:  Most of the items in my shop have some type of flower or botanical image. I’m also really drawn to vintage style whether it is paper, rubber stamps or embellishments. The shabby chic trend really appeals to me – I love working with lace, burlap and distressed pieces.

Mini Canvas Set

Etsy Paper:  How has being part of the Etsy community changed your craft?
Beth:  I don’t consider myself especially savvy when it comes to technology. It was a big step for me (a true leap of faith) to set up my Etsy shop. But, there are so many helpful people here (such as the Etsy Paper Team) and other Etsy resources. There’s always something new to learn, but I have definitely improved my skills since opening my shop. My craft is the same, but the way I market my craft is much different than it was when I started. Earlier this year I created a blog (prettybyrddesigns.blogspot.com) which I hope to improve upon also.

Etsy Paper:  Where do you go to first when you need new ideas?
Beth:  There are so many sources for creativity. I’m lucky to live in place where there are changing seasons – that always provides inspiration. Other resources include magazines, books, a scrap of paper or a piece of fabric. I enjoy seeing what other crafters are doing, too. Walking through the craft shops is always fun … but can be expensive!! Sometimes I just take a break for a day or so to clear my mind and ‘clean the slate’ so to speak. Doing so makes room for new ideas and then the creative spark just takes over!

I love Beth's way of creating a vintage look to the items she makes. Some of them have a nice mix of vintage and modern that make them very versatile.  

Don't forget to browse her shop, she's having a sale!  

Until next time,
Jenni
Etsy Paper Team
Captain 

HanaFlowerDesigns

Introducing hanaflowerdesigns!

I choose a digital shop to feature this month after a personal experience, of mine, opened up a whole new world.  If you haven't tried digital, do it!  

Here is my interview with her.


Etsy Paper:  Tell us a little about yourself.
Emma:  Hello! My name is Emma and I am the designer behind hanaflowerdesigns. I was born in England but moved to Canada when I was eight years old with my parents and younger sibling. I have always had a passion for the arts as when I was younger I would always be doing crafts with my mom. Here I am today with my Etsy shop selling digital papers and scrapbook embellishments, a bit different from the cut and paste crafts when I was younger but I still love doing what I do all the same. When I'm not designing for my shop I am a University student pursuing a degree in Classics and Art History with which I would love to work in a museum and continue with crafting at the same time. 

Watercolour Hearts

Etsy Paper:  When did you open your shop on Etsy?
Emma:  I opened my shop on Etsy at the start of June this year. Before that though I had spent a good year designing my character Hana which means flower in Japanese. Thus Hana the flower girl was created and a year later I started designing my own goods on Etsy. I started with handmade cards but later changed to digital scrapbooking towards the end of July as I found that this was much more enjoyable for me. 

Etsy Paper:  Tell us about your shop.
Emma:  My shop began with me scoring and folding cards with my scoring board but later evolved into me with my computer in front of me and a drawing tablet at my side designing all these colourful patterns. ^_^ Hanaflowerdesigns is a shop where digital papers and embellishments can be used for so much more than scrapbooking. People can use them for invitations, gift tags or maybe even the blog you were thinking about creating. I love to see what people are inspired to create with my goods. 

Autumn Clip Art

Etsy Paper:  How much time do you spend daily/weekly working on your craft?
Emma:  This depends on the time of year for me. During my four month summer holiday(I know, it's very long), sometimes I design 4 days a week and 3-4 hours daily. When I go back to school I plan to design at least twice a week so that I can continue to offer more of a variety of items in my shop. 

Etsy Paper:  How much planning do you do before you create?
Emma:  I wouldn't say that I really "plan" my work but rather create something on the spur of the moment saying to myself "You know what would look great?"  It is always wonderful when you just have an idea pop into your head, another reason why I always carry a notebook with me at all times. My planning is mainly little notes in my notebook about general themes and colour schemes I like. I go through my notebook every week and pick out a few that I like and then begin designing straight away with my notebook at my side. 

Bumble Bee Digital Paper Pack

Etsy Paper:  How has being part of the Etsy community changed your craft?
Emma:  The people I have met on Etsy are lovely and have given me a lot of inspiration for my shop. There is always someone in the community who will give you positive comments on the threads and will give you honest feedback on your shop which has allowed me to grow. Being part of the Etsy community gives everyone the chance to show others what you love to create and make great friends that have helped me significantly. I can't tell you how much it means to me when someone features my item in a treasury or sends me a lovely little message about my shop, thank you!

Etsy Paper:  Do you have a favorite quote to share?
Emma:  I have a lot of quotes that have given me inspiration over the years but I would have to say that one of my favourites is from my favourite childhood novel: Alice in Wonderland. 

“I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.” 
― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland


Each day we grow on Etsy and we learn something new that we didn't know the day before. I always push myself that one step further so that I can reflect on what I did before and always improve a little bit each and every day. 

Laurel Wreath Digital Frame

Etsy Paper:  What was your biggest mistake you made when starting out on Etsy? How did you fix it?Emma:  What I really struggled with on Etsy at first was SEO. All the threads and blogs I read on SEO were enough to keep my mind whizzing for hours! I simply didn't realize that how you tag an item and what you put in the title could matter all that much. Well I was definitely wrong. I guess when I first started on Etsy it was more like I'm going to put this item on and automatically get sales rather than I need to work on my tags a bit more. Then I realized, through joining teams and forum threads, that it is very important if you want to be found on Etsy. So I started to tag my items with multiple words in one tag and expanding on my titles a little bit more. Slowly but surely I found myself rising on the search engine when I changed them. All this came with practice and not giving up when I didn't get a sale in the first month. I still have a long way to go with my Etsy shop but I'm getting there with the help of the teams that I have joined and fellow Etsians.

Etsy Paper:  When you look at some of the first projects you made, do you want to:
a. tear them up and start over?
b. get out your new product and add some new stuff to your old project?
c. sit down with a cup of tea and look at it lovingly for a while?
d. wonder where the time has gone?
Emma:  c) Sit down with a cup of tea and look at it lovingly for a while. It seems a bit silly but I love looking at old creations, not to mention having a cup of tea. It is always nice to just sit down every once in a while and think about how much you have progressed with a cup of tea in hand and your project in the other. 

I appreciate how creative and whimsy Emma has made her shop.  The designs and patterns are so fun to look at.  I have definitely saved her shop, www.etsy.com/shop/hanaflowerdesigns, to my personal favorites and will come back to shop when I need something new.

Until next time,
Jenni
Etsy Paper Team
Captain

ThePurpleTable

The SpotLight member of August is ThePurpleTable!

This month I'd like to introduce you to Debi.  She's an incredibly talented artist that is not afraid to try new things.  

Etsy Paper: Tell us a little about yourself.
Debi: Hi. My name is Debi and I’m the artist behind The Purple Table. I live and work in Northern Virginia, right outside of Washington, D.C. My pug dog, Theo keeps me company in the evenings when I work on artistic projects for my Etsy shop. My interests are varied and include interior design, photography, painting, and papercrafts.

Domino Magnets

Etsy Paper: When did you open your shop on Etsy?
Debi: I opened my Etsy shop, The Purple Table in February of 2012. I had just spent several months planning my son’s wedding and making the decorations for the event. During that process I discovered rubber stamping and the amazing array of creativity it allows. 

Etsy Paper: Tell us about your shop.
Debi: What began as a large old wooden door was transformed into an artist desk by decoupaging various purple papers onto its surface. The Purple Table is literally the place where my creativity and imagination run wild to create handmade paper goods and small gifts. My shop, The Purple Table, specializes in unique greeting cards for all occasions, gift tags, altered journals for your notes and thoughts, and recycled domino art.

Gift Tags

Etsy Paper: What inspires you?
Debi: I think I have an eclectic style. But I’m a pretty down to earth girl and a romantic at heart. I love vintage, the whimsical, nature, and romance. Most of my creations have bits of those in them. An obsessive collection of rubber stamps contributes to ever changing designs.


Etsy Paper: Do you sell mostly online or at craft shows?
Debi: My Etsy shop is the main outlet for my products. I have participated in 3-4 craft shows in the last year and would like to expand on that. I’ve had a lot of fun at them and met some very talented and interesting people. 

Etsy Paper: How did you learn your craft?
Debi: I’ve always been interested in Art and anything that would allow creative expression. I did take art classes when I was younger, but I’ve always been artistic and crafty. I’m that girl who is most likely to say “I think I can make that for you”. It helps that I’m a big DIY person and don’t hesitate to give most things a try.

Notebook

www.thepurpletable.comEtsy Paper: How do you get the word out about your products?
Debi: Within the Etsy environment, I participate in teams and treasuries to promote my products. I also use Pinterest to some extent, and my website: www.thepurpletable.com links to my Etsy shop. I’ve been featured in several blogs as well as two wedding magazines which have given my shop exposure and brought in custom orders for gift tags. 

I also collaborated with Strathmore Artist Papers who stumbled upon my Etsy shop. They revamped the packaging of their products and two of my cards were used on the new product packaging for their stamping cards in 2013. You can see my pear note card and goldfish collage on their packages in retail stores and online here: 
www.strathmoreartist.com/product-reader/items/stamping-cards.html
www.strathmoreartist.com/debi-jones.html


Etsy Paper: How much planning do you do before you create?
Debi: I don’t know that I follow any set of rules or process. My best work often comes from total randomness. I work on it till it “looks right” to me. :) I do create for me — meaning what I create is something I would like to receive.

Etsy Paper: What is your favorite item to create and why? Tell us about it.
Debi: I love experimenting with different techniques and mixing materials. Greeting cards are perfect for this because it can be done on a small scale. If it doesn't work out – I just move on, it’s not a huge investment in time or materials.

Birthday Card

Etsy Paper: What has been your favorite comment from purchasers about your product?
Debi: I’ve been very fortunate that customers have taken the time to leave such wonderful reviews and comments regarding their purchases and experiences with my shop. One of my favorite comments left is a small one, but had me smiling for days:
“Artistry in a card~ beautiful :) ”

You can read all of Debi's Reviews here.
www.etsy.com/shop/ThePurpleTable/reviews

What an amazing talent she has.  Browsing through her shop it was fun to see all the details included in her items, especially the greeting cards.
www.etsy.com/shop/ThePurpleTable

Until next time,
Jenni
Etsy Paper Team
Captain

TACE Handmade

The SpotLight member of July is TACEHandmade!

I'd like to introduce you to, Tasos, the owner of TACEHandmade.  I interviewed him and quickly found out just how creative he is.  This shop has a little bit of everything.

Etsy Paper: Tell us a little about yourself
Tasos: I am from Greece. I live in a detached house to a small neighborhood about ten minutes from the center of Athens, with my beloved and fluffy cat, Kurt. I'm in a relationship with a cute girl for three years and we love traveling and cooking.

Cat Earrings

Etsy Paper: When did you open your shop on Etsy?
Tasos: Μy shop has been open for almost a year.  Οn 15 September we will have his first birthday!


Etsy Paper: Tell us about your shop.
Tasos: In my shop I sell jewelry and decorative wall art. I work mainly with wood and paper using the technique of decoupage. I like experimenting with different papers like napkins, rice paper and scrapbooking papers. In the same way, I work my decorative ornaments so creating wall hangers.

Vintage Girl Art

Etsy Paper: Do you have a special space for your crafting, or does the kitchen table do double duty?
Tasos: I started to design in my room, at my desk. But as time passed, materials and tools proliferate so I made a room of the house a small workshop. I managed to organize all things on shelves and boxes and working is more enjoyable because I want to be neat and tidy.


Etsy Paper: Why did you decide to become on Etsy seller?
Tasos: I decided to become a seller on Etsy because I loved the idea that something of mine can be loved by someone and travel anywhere on the planet. 

Etsy Paper: What is your favorite technique/ your "specialty"?
Tasos: My favorite technique is decoupage! I love working with wood and paper. I started using this technique in objects, but because I loved it so much I started making jewelry with this technique. I give the design that I want to have the jewelry on paper and then pass it onto the wood and cut. I like looking at hundreds of napkins to discover the plan that will get stuck in the wood, I feel like I'm looking for treasure. There are such beautiful designs imprinted on papers that give beautiful results on jewelry.

Bracelet

Etsy Paper: Is there someone in your life that may have inspired your creativity?
Tasos: One day my girlfriend Madalena wanted a necklace, but wherever she looked she could not find the design she had in her mind. So I decided to make it myself . I bought all the materials and gave it to her οn her birthday! Since I am inspired by her, anything I design are things that I feel she will wear.  She is my muse and my biggest fan!

Necklace

Etsy Paper: How did your shop get its name?
Tasos: The idea for the name of my shop came from my name Tasos. "Asos" in Greek means "ace", known to all of us as the best card of the deck and together with the first letter of my name came Tace! 


Etsy Paper: Do you have a favorite quote to share?
Tasos: My favorite quote is "I'd rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not" 
which was said by Kurt Cobain. Τhis quote makes me be true and makes me be myself. I wish all people to love themselves and not try to be something else to be loved.


Etsy Paper: Why do you do what you do?
Tasos: I do what I do because above all it gives me joy. The need for me to express my creativity and the pleasure that I felt since childhood making things with my hands, led me to do what I do now. For me it is very important to feel that I am doing something creative, it gives me strength for life. 
The more I create the more I feel alive and happy!

What an amazing artist he is.  Such great talent and a kind heart.  Browse through his shop, you might see something you can't resist.  
www.etsy.com/shop/TACEHandmade

Until next time,
Jenni
Etsy Paper Team
Captain

Heedopter

Member SpotLight, Heedopter!

This month I have decided to place my focus on a unique and playful shop.

Please welcome Jennifer of www.etsy.com/shop/Heedopter.

Etsy Paper: Tell us a little about yourself.
Jennifer:  I’m from the Netherlands and happily together with a great English guy, together we have a gorgeous 6 year old son and 3 very lazy cats. We live in a smallish, but lively and beautiful town, about half an hour north of Amsterdam called Hoorn. 

Etsy Paper: When did you open your shop on Etsy?
Jennifer:  The Heedopter shop opened in November 2012. I just wanted to get my creative flow going again so in a wild mood I created 20 illustrations, printed them on cards and hooray! My Etsy shop was opened. It really was that simple.

Etsy Paper: Tell us about your shop.
Jennifer:  My shop is full of stationery and paper goodies. I use my own illustrations on cards, handmade notebooks, art prints, giftwrap, DIY paper puppets and DIY paper houses. I love to experiment with different types of paper, like screenprinting on vintage pattern paper or use thick sturdy recycled greyboard for greeting cards. I value sustainability a lot and try to use as many recycled and eco friendly materials as I can.

Giftwrap

Greeting Card

Etsy Paper: Is there something that you've never tried with paper that you'd like to try?
Jennifer:  I would love to try to make my own paper from paper pulp but am lacking time to get into it (and isn’t it really messy?)

Etsy Paper: Do you sell mostly online or at craft shows?
Jennifer:  I mainly sell online since it’s so flexible in what hours I put in and when (in the middle of the night if I wanted to!) but this summer I’ve been doing a few craft shows as well. And it’s so lovely to meet customers and get a real feel of who’s buying my products.

Etsy Paper: How many different selling venues do you use?
Jennifer:  I do sell at a few websites. Etsy,of course, but also the more Europe orientated Dawanda (heedopter.dawanda.com) and on the Dutch site ‘Met de hand’ (www.metdehand.nl/winkel/heedopter). Besides the 'selling sites' I’m active on social media and my blog:
www.facebook.com/Heedopter
twitter.com/Heedopter
instagram.com/heedopter
www.pinterest.com/heedopter/
www.heedopter.com

Etsy Paper: Do you have a day job? If so are you up all night crafting?
Jennifer:  Yes, I do have a day job, 4 days a week. I’m spending a lot of evening and weekend work on Heedopter. It’s tough at times! I do have my free Monday which I always spend designing and the rest is done in between all the other bits that need doing (like boring household chores).

Etsy Paper: Is there a certain color or motif that you are repeatedly drawn to?
Jennifer:  Clouds! And sun and rain. I can’t help it and I don’t where it’s coming from but I love simply love clouds!

Greeting Card

Etsy Paper: What has been your most successful marketing technique to date?
Jennifer:  For our Mother’s day gift boxes we created a really cool stop motion movie. We buzzed about it on social media a couple of weeks before it was released and eventually the boxes, which contained beautiful folding posters, sold out! It was great and exciting!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNx86h2JCdA

Etsy Paper: Do you have a favorite quote to share?
Jennifer:  It’s one with a special meaning to my boyfriend , he has been carrying it with him in his wallet for years. And then I surprised him with an typographic art print featuring this quote by Henry David Thoreau: "Go confidently into the direction of your dreams, live the life you have imagined" It reminds us everyday to just go and live that dream, make it happen!

Art Print

What a sweet shop full of wonderful creations.  The YouTube video is something I wish I could carry in my pocket and watch when I'm feeling down, so perfect.

Until next time,
Jenni
Etsy Paper Team
Captain