Vote in our Monthly Team Challenge!

Welcome to our second monthly challenge project! ACE team members were invited to make sunshine themed project. The winner will be whoever gets the most votes!

Check out the projects and vote for your favorite using the POLL located in the right sidebar. Voting will close on Thursday September 3, 2009.

Here are the candidates:


Zip-adee-do-da Day - art print by DeborahDee


Fun Yellow Beaded Crocheted Necklace by MBSignatureDesigns


Scotty Dog Bank (plays Over The Rainbow) by McCoyToys


Summer Buttercup Guest Book by UberArt


Summer Sunflowers Drawstring Purse by Zellbell

Feature Friday 07/10/09

Here you will see some lovely items made by members of the ACE team. Just click on the photos to visit each seller's Etsy shop.


Sturdy, Lightweight and Ultra-Feminine. This Paper Bangle from newfangled is the perfect addition to any outfit!



Whether you are sitting by the ocean or sipping a glass of lemonade, this Starfish Glass Pendant from denimnotes is sure to get you in the mood for summer!



While you are sipping that lemonade, record the events of your summer in this sweet Raspberry Lemonade Journal from UberArt.


A big tanks to Gretchen of prettylittlepearl for writing this feature! Be sure to check out her lovely sewn items like this fold-over clutch in Chocolate Garden Maze.

Vote for the best Beach themed project!

Welcome to our first monthly challenge project! ACE Team members were invited to make a themed project using the phrase "Life's A Beach". The winner will be whoever gets the most votes!

Check out the projects and vote for your favorite using the POLL located in the right sidebar. Voting will close on Tuesday, June 30.

Here are the candidates:

Compass Rose and Anchors Nautical Theme Purse by ZellBell

Shells By The Seashore by UberArt

After Sun Care by tgurleybathandbody

Under The Sea Mini Notepad Set by PamperedPapier

Boat Pull Toy and Puzzle by McCoyToys

Summer Flip Flops Kitchen/Dish Scrubber by Laksaware

It's Raining Art Quilt by KarolsVintageArt

Sand And Sea Handspun Striping Corespun Art Yarn by Jazzturtle

Beach Bag Personalized Note Set by DeborahDee

Navy Linen Zippered Clutch/Purse by AGreenElephant

Feature Friday 06/26/09

Here you will see some lovely items made by members of the ACE team. Just click on the photos to visit each seller's Etsy shop.


Wedding season is here! How about a witty personalized cross-stitched wedding card by SpawnStudio?


Cute and stylish make-up bag from ACAmour.



Be prepared for life's little emergencies with an All Better Bag from ZellBellKids.


A big tanks to Bernie of laksaware for writing this feature! Be sure to check out her handcrafted kitchenwares and bathwares like this cotton bath scrubbie for just $3.00.

The Self Portrait of Lauren Alexander

This week's featured artist is Lauren Alexander of Overland Park, KS. Lauren's Etsy shop has been open since May 2006.

Walk You Home - original ACEO

Lauren says, "I am a watercolor painter and I have always been one even as a little kid with a box of Prang watercolors. I just love the way water makes the colors come alive. The first painting I ever sold was a large watercolor portrait to my high school library."

Sweet Tree

Pick one item you have created and provide link either from your shop or flickr. What inspired the “birth” of this item?

I painted this picture of a tree with hearts a little over a year ago. I was just beginning to find my voice with my work and needed a piece in my collection that would really say what I’m about. This painting came from my head – I remember just deciding to put all the different colors together in each heart and fruit…adding all the little details and specks of color within it. It felt right to me and from then on I have kept a little bit of Sweet Tree in almost everything I paint.

Does this item have any personal significance to you?

This image is symbolic to me. Hearts have always been special– a symbol of love of course but also a reminder of heart disease – something that has touched me and my family very closely in the last couple years. I see hearts as a reminder to love one another along with one’s self. Take care of your hearts!

What is your favorite part of the process of creating your item?

I remember painting in all the bright colors and just knowing that it was going to be a winner! I remember having it out on my work desk and just going back to it throughout the evening to look at it.

Please briefly describe a workday in your “studio” and how you created this item.

My “studio” is my dining room table, adjacent to my living room. I paint there in the evenings when I come home from my day job (working with special needs students and teaching art). I generally like to sketch right on my watercolor paper. I like to dive right in. I usually watch tv or listen to music while I paint. Sometimes I cook dinner at the same time!

Lauren Alexander Magnets - Set of 10

If this item is part of a special line that you do, has there been an evolution in your process? For example, if we were to compare the first one you made to this one, what differences would there be, if any?

This item sparked a whole new trend for me of painting trees in a sort of colorful, whimsical way. I have since started putting creatures in the tress, birds, owls, and such. I enjoy creating environments and little creatures to inhabit them. I love to play with color and try new combinations. I love finding new ways to make people wonder how I did that with watercolor. It is exciting and keeps me going and going.

Visit Lauren Alexander's shop on Etsy to see more of her colorful work!

Feature Friday 5/8/09

Summer is fast approaching. Get prepared for the pool and trips to the beach with these fun accessories made by members of the ACE Team!

Pampered Papier’s Ice Cream Post It Note Set will help you stay on track. Leave it in your purse or beach tote and make a note for yourself when you run out of sunscreen or need a reminder to pick up a couple things at the grocery store on the way home.

This Super Summer Fun Flip Flop Bag by Aprils Originals is a great way to carry all your necessities no matter where you are headed. It’s fashionable and functional with a key chain clip so you’re always ready for that quick trip out for ice cream!

Keep your sun screen lip balm handy with a Summer Girl Lip Balm Cozy by EB Spider. Easily attaches on your key ring or bag zipper with a lobster clip, so it will never get lost in the bottom of your bag.


A big thanks to Cathy of agreenelephant for writing this feature. Be sure to check out her shop for original sewn items like Eve, the little elephant.

Feature Friday 5/1/09

Here you will see some lovely items made by members of the ACE team. Just click on the photos to visit each seller's Etsy shop.

UberArt's Winter Damask Mini Book is so precious. It would make a lovely guest book, memory book, or scrapbook and great for gifts too!

Love yarn? Check out Jazzturtle's Playtime- Handspun Art Yarn.

There's glitterati and tussah silk waste all the way from Australia and sari silk bits and recycled denim in this colorful concoction!


Tracey Gurley's Avocado is strikingly breathtaking! Her work has been spotted in various galleries and venues in over 75 homes and businesses in North Carolina and she has been commissioned to paint 33 paintings for a hotel in Poland as well.


A big tanks to Bernie of laksaware for writing this feature! Be sure to check out her handcrafted kitchenwares and bathwares like this bath scrubbie and soap set which would make a great gift for Mother's Day.

ACE Team Makes Soap

From left to right: Tracey, Jenn, April, Beth, Ruth, Bernie, Cathy, Valerie, Michelle

Several ACE Team members got together last weekend for fun, food and soap making. Tracey and April were nice enough to demonstrate cold process soap making to the rest of the group. I am sure that we all have a much greater appreciation for this complicated process.
















We also made salt scrub and soap balls scented with essential oils.




















Bernie poses with our coconut and lime scented soap balls.

A big thanks to Tracey for opening her lovely home to us and to April and Tracey for teaching us how to make soap!

The World Is My Studio

This week we meet Christy from The World Is My Studio based in Pennsylvania. Christy is a freelance photographer and artist.

sustenance

How long has your shop been open?
I just opened my shop two months ago, in January. I spent the first month getting acquainted with etsy. Then I started posting my photography in February.

How did you choose your shop name? What is your specialty and what drew you to it?
"The World Is My Studio"... is the way I see the world. Art as with beauty is subjective but it is always full of soul. I've been taking photographs in my mind all my life, capturing images, freezing moments in time. Now that I have tools and credentials, I can bring some of those moments in time to you. The world is my inspiration and my studio.

What inspired this photograph? Does this have personal significance to you?

cat's nap

Every one of my photographs is attached with a memory or a story. Therefore, every one of them means something to me. Of course my favorite photographs are of the ones that I love or my loved ones inspired. My Muses!

Please describe a workday in your “studio” and how you create.
Since I live in my studio, nothing is planned. I photograph spontaneously. For instance, I was walking about an old farm in NY, waiting for family to arrive. My camera and I uncovered "Untold Stories". The new series that I am currently working on. With unhurried moments and a camera... the possibilities are endless!!! You know those rare days when you have "time to kill". (I hate that expression!) I'm a born observer. I take that time and find the beauty around me and create something!

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I love learning new things. And my mind is always a buzz. My shop just opened which means, you will have to stop by often, say "Hi!" and see what I've got up my sleeve. Don't be shy! I want to know what you are all about. Do you have something you want photographed? Give me an idea and I'll run with it! I dare you!

I love watching the sun come up... it always makes me feel a sense of hope and wonder. A new chance. A new way to look at things. With all the ups and downs in life, the beauty and the ugliness, we get to choose how see things.

How do you see the world?

Laksaware featured on Etsy Profiles Blog

Bernie, from www.laksaware.etsy.com is featured on Etsy Profiles Blog! Congratulations Bernie!

Check it out here. http://etsyprofiles.blogspot.com

Two More Days 'Til Our Easter Egg Hunt!

In two days the ACE Team launches its first annual Easter Egg Hunt! Beginning April 2 you will have 5 days to hunt down all the Easter Eggs hidden amongst our talented team members' stores for the chance to win valuable prizes totaling $400!!

If you purchase an item from any ACE team member during The Hunt you will also be eligible for a chance to win prizes.

Here are some of the prizes you could win:

Lace Chiffon Journal by UberArt


Blue Lagoon Paper Bangle by Newfangled

Funky Flowers Notepad by PamperedPapier


New Growth Glass Pendant by inthelightglassworks


Pistachio Vanilla Scrubbie by Laksaware


Ellen, The Little Elephant by AGreenElephant

Full details of the hunt will be available on this blog the day the hunt begins Thursday, April 2. Good Luck!

Countdown to the Hunt

Follow this Blog for the chance to win numerous beautifully crafted prizes as the ACE Team launches its first annual Easter Egg Hunt from April 2-6, 2009.

If you hunt down the Easter Eggs you could win some of the following prizes crafted by our talented team of Etsy creatives.

aprilsoriginals - Pleated Bag in Michael Miller Feeling Groovy in Spa

ebspider - Cinnamon Spice Mug Cozy

The hunt is fun and easy. Search through ACE team stores to find hidden Easter Eggs secreted amongst product pictures. Besides the great runner up prizes this contest features a grand prize that is not to be missed.

We will be counting down over the next week giving you sneak peeks of the prizes we will be giving away so stay tuned to this blog for more info. Winners will be announced Tuesday, April 7, 2009.