Winter in the Bay Area is nice - yes, it gets dark early, there's a bit of a chill in the air, and if you're lucky you might catch a light flurry of snow at the top of Mt. Tam on just the right day in January - but really, our winters are rather easy. I am originally from NYC, so I know true winter - bundled up in so many layers you can barely move, that singular delight of carefully stepping off a curb onto what you think is a stable layer of ice, only to find that it is, in fact, an ankle deep puddle of slush. While wearing ankle boots. Yeah...East Coast winters are no joke. Here in Northern CA, we can layer sweaters, rock shorts and legwarmers at will, and still be cute on an evening out in December rather than bundling up in Sorrels and ear warmers. Here are a few of my favorite cool and cozy apparel and accessories from the 6th Annual SF Etsy Holiday Emporium, at historic Pier 35, November 24th & 25th. Enjoy! Jocelyn Nguyen's Nous Savon cashmere robes are so soft and cozy, they're like a hug from a baby goat. In addition to her sumptuous line of cashmere robes, scarves and blankets, she makes a cool line of minimalist jewelry as well. RENNIE Goods are handmade by Roberta Rennie, an FIDM-trained designer. She creates her 100% cotton, Japanese selvedge denim and vegetable tanned leather bags, aprons and accessories while listening to true crime podcasts in her Pacifica, CA studio. Considering that Oakland-based artist Latisha Baker creates her signature Ear Cookies while listening to chanting Buddhist monks, it makes sense that her work has a distinct, meditative quality to it. She creates her pieces in sets of 12, using a unique pyroetching/woodburning technique to achieve her designs. Launched on Valentine's Day, 2015 in San Francisco, Atelier Prélude is committed to sourcing the world's softest, natural fabrics with the mission to promote sustainable fashion. Atelier Prelude's collections include versatile, yet beautiful pieces meant to be worn every day, on every occasion, by every woman. An innovative, origami-like design from mother-daughter team Mini Bansal and Jannat Saxena, the Sumsaara Essence purse opens flat and closes into a clutch purse! They come with a soft, lush cork fabric interior, imported from Portugal. Each purse is hand crafted, locally sourced and made with several vegan, eco-friendly and sustainable materials, hand finished with coconut oil. And what's best of all - a portion of every sale is donation to Save The Elephants charity. Bodhi Swag, the brainchild of sisters Laura Kavanaugh and Nydia Cisneros, brings quality, never quantity, with each of their contemporary, resort, and athleisure collections. In addition to these headwraps, Bodhi Swag makes amazing cocoons, all designed and tailored in CA. I can't be the only one who is PSYCHED there will be vintage at the Emporium this year! One of our vintage curators is Neutral Ground, the brainchild of Alysha Cassis-Shaw. Alysha began her career at the house of Halston, and in the spring of 2017, her passion for craftsmanship, detail, and a vision to see vintage and pre-loved items reinterpreted gave birth to Neutral Ground. Social justice is always in fashion, and Fresh To Def is on the front line. These laser cut cherry wood post earrings say it all! Fresh to Def Collective is a social enterprise that empowers women + fems of color to step into their entrepreneurial spirit through social justice accessories and business coaching, based in Oakland CA. AdelynSF Collection is based in San Francisco, designed to accentuate the natural curves of the female body, suitable for wearing all-year round. Adelyn strives to select high quality fabrics with stretch for comfort and body movement. All the pieces in their collection are designed and made in San Francisco. Feeling like making something cozy for yourself? This pattern book from Cashmere Treats by Jessica Rose is the perfect guide to create something amazing - each book includes detailed, easy to follow instructions to create a scarves, hats, arm warmers, headbands and beanies. Not feeling so crafty? You can buy finished pieces from their line here. Shop Small x SF Etsy Indie Holiday Emporium supported by @American Express & @Etsy Pier 35, San Francisco November 24th - 11pm -5pm November 25th - 11am - 5pm Follow our Facebook Event Page For More Vendor and Event Information Visit our Pinterest Board of All Participating Vendors
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We'll be back at the San Francisco Civic Commons' Center Sunday November 4th for our last Block Party of the Season!! Shop Early and Local for your Holiday Gifts and meet the makers and the SF Etsy team at the Civic Center Commons Block Party - Fall Edition! November features Etsy sellers showcasing jewelry, art, home goods and gifts for all ages. Our Etsy-sponsored DIY station will let you become the maker! Join us and learn how to make Pom Pom and Tassels with GoGo Craft. Learn how to make the perfect pom poms and tassels in a variety of sizes and beautiful yarns with mobile crafting workshop, GoGo Craft. Then string them together to make a stylish pom pom bag charm. All materials and tools provided. Find out more information on our Facebook event page See our participating vendors below: Join us on the last block party of 2018, on Fulton Street at Larkin in San Francisco.
This FREE family-friendly event features recreational activities for all ages, a selection of bar drinks and street food curated by Off the Grid, music and promotional appearances by Bonneville San Francisco KMVQ 99.7 FM, an open-air bazaar with one-of-a-kind goods created by local artisans from SF Etsy: San Francisco Bay Area Etsy Team, and DIY arts and crafts activities. We hope you’ll join us and spend your Sunday enjoying the event and other attractions in the Commons: Grab fresh produce at the nearby Heart of the City Farmers' Market, grab a coffee from the new Bi-Rite Cafe, play on the new Helen Diller Civic Center playgrounds, or check out the Asian Art Museum's FREE 1st Sundays. You can also skate with the infamous Church of 8 Wheels, San Francisco's first church-turned-roller-rink, in the designated public skating area. And don't forget to see the Common's newest attraction: a major public art installation in Civic Center Plaza by Zak Ové Artist brought to you by the San Francisco Arts Commission. Treats We Have For The Halloween-Obsessed from the SF Etsy Team Step quietly into the wonderful world of the macabre this Halloween and get mystified by this collection of spooky, Bay Area Etsy artists and designers that are members of the SF Etsy Street Team. Have A Wonderfully Wicked Halloween from the SF Etsy Team ! We'll be back at the San Francisco Civic Commons' Center this Sunday! Shop Local and meet the makers and the SF Etsy team at the Civic Center Block Party! September features Etsy sellers showcasing jewelry, art, skin care and gifts for all ages. Our Etsy sponsored DIY station will let you become the maker when you learn the art of paper crafting. The Weekend Store will be on hand to teach you how to design and build your own paper beads for a truly personalized necklace. Find out more information on our Facebook event page See our participating vendors below: Free Artist Workshop Create a one of a kind locket, ring, or pair of earrings using paper ephemera, epoxy resin cabochons, scissors and a bit of elbow grease. Adjowah Keilman of The Weekend Store will teach you how to make something cool in no time at all - easy peasy! Join us on the 1st Sunday of every month July through November, from 11am to 3pm, for a block party on Fulton Street at Larkin. This FREE family-friendly event features recreational activities for all ages, a selection of bar drinks and street food curated by Off the Grid, music and promotional appearances by Bonneville San Francisco KMVQ 99.7 FM, an open-air bazaar with one-of-a-kind goods created by local artisans from SF Etsy: San Francisco Bay Area Etsy Team, and DIY arts and crafts activities. The September 2nd event highlights include street soccer, where everyone can play and compete for prizes; a book sale by the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library; an opportunity to move with Alonzo King LINES Dance Center at 2pm; a LEGO build center with San Francisco Department of Children, Youth & Their Families and a chance to play your friends in family in a game of giant scrabble from 826 Valencia! We hope you’ll join us and spend your Sunday enjoying the event and other attractions in the Commons: grab fresh produce at the nearby Heart of the City Farmers' Market, play on the new Helen Diller Civic Center playgrounds, or check out the Asian Art Museum's FREE 1st Sundays. And don't forget to see the Common's newest attraction: a major public art installation in Civic Center Plaza by Zak Ové Artist brought to you by the San Francisco Arts Commission. I was first introduced to MorninGloria's beaded flower jewelry when we were both vendors at a craft fair in SF. I was immediately struck by all of the color in her display - vibrant blues, rich reds, warm amber - just a gorgeous array of hues that catch the eye. Upon closer inspection, I saw that each piece was intricately beaded, hundreds of tiny glass beads strung and wired together to create MorninGloria's hair accessories, wine glass charms, earrings and necklaces. Gloria E. Rubio-Verduzco, owner and designer of MorninGloria's, first started making her beaded artwork in 2005. "I've been excited by beads and jewelry making since I was a little girl, but when I discovered French beaded flowers, I was immediately in love!" Gloria said. " I always loved wearing flowers in my hair, so I began creating beaded flowers to wear to dance classes and special events. Immediately, I began receiving requests from friends and family to make items for them...and so began MorninGloria's." The technique Gloria uses to create her beaded flowers and leaves was first developed in the 1500s, and remained a popular folk art form through the Victorian era. Examples of beaded flower bouquets, called Immortelles, as well as decorative brooches, earrings and pendants can be seen in private and museum collections all over the world. We are excited to have MorninGloria's present her exquisite line of beaded accessories at our first ever Sonoma County Pop Up, at Viansa Winery, 25200 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, CA Sunday July 29 noon - 5pm.
Celebrate Pride Month and Wave your Rainbow Flag. The Pride Celebration in San Francisco helps to educate the world, celebrate freedom, commemorate LGBT heritage and gay culture. The San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade is the largest gathering of the LGBT community in the nation, bringing out hundreds of thousands of attendees. So get inspired and shop for Pride designs and products all year round from the SFetsy team! Show your Support for the LGBTQ+ Community! See You at the 46th Annual San Francisco Pride Celebration on June 23/24th!
Indie Holiday Emporium Preview: Accessories Welcome to our Accessories preview for the SF Etsy Indie Holiday Emporium!
It’s our 5th year bringing Etsy to life in San Francisco Sat & Sun Nov. 25 & 26! Can't wait till then? Pre-shop now, and then join the local SF Etsy team in this very special shopping experience at Pier 35 on the Embarcadero in San Francisco next weekend. Support over 200 local artisans and small batch food vendors, as members of our local San Francisco Etsy team showcase their work, sponsored by Etsy! Shop local this season and have a blast at our annual team holiday craft show. Scroll down for a taster of some of the amazing accessories-makers we'll have this year, or view our Pinterest Board for a complete vendor pre-shop! Preview Accessories : Pinterest Board Complete Vendor Map
Fall has arrive and Halloween is around the bend. We are back with another Friday Feature. This week we are featuring the youngest member of our team.Latitude Design Studio is owned by 14 year old Mahika. She started her Etsy shop (and selling handmade jewelry locally) last year. She has been active in community service initiatives from an early age. At 8 years old,she made canvas paintings of pets with her friends to raise money for the Humane Society. Latitude Design Studio branched from a smaller idea to donate money to charity, into a combination of style, culture, and giving. When she is not creating, you can find her singing, songwriting, writing opinion pieces on human rights issues, or cooking up a healthy meal.
SFtsy: How did you learn your craft? :
Mihika: Because I am naturally creatively inclined, I taught myself how to design and create jewelry. As I brainstormed and created more pieces before LDS was launched, they began to increase in complexity and style. SFtsy: Tell us about your creative process, where do you begin and how does it evolve?: Mahika: Usually I will have a burst of inspiration for a piece and will quickly write it down or sketch it out to be pursued at a more convenient time. I'll then display my ideas to my family and friends to see what the response would be from a buyer. What I've learned as an Etsy seller is that, while it's important to stay true to yourself and your style, it's also important to get feedback from others, because in the end, it's the buyer, not you, who's determining if your product sells. SFtsy: Where else can we find out more about you and/or your creations?: Mahika: Www.Instagram.com/latitudedesignstudio SFtsy: What inspires your creations?: Mahika: My parents have always believed in the power of education through traveling. There is no greater way to learn about the world than through traversing through it. Each collection from my store is inspired by a different place. I currently have 4 collections - Pura Vida (Costa Rica), C'est la Vie (Paris), Islander (Hawaii), and Nirvana (India). Each collection has a different style profile, from beachy to boho and sophisticated to spunky. When I travel to a new place, I make sure to take in all the sights, scents, colors, etc. in order to find inspiration for my jewelry. SFtsy: What's your work schedule / routine like?: Mahika: Because I am passionate about so many things, it is often difficult to manage my time. Usually I will finish my academic work and then design, create, and/or photograph a product. Late night, when I allot myself some 'free time', I'll finish editing photographs, writing listing descriptions, and adding items to my shop. SFtsy: Tell us about your work space - where do you create?: Mahika: My creative space is more a mindset than a set location. I could be working in my 'studio', a storage room converted into a design space with my supplies, but I don't only design jewelry there. I love to go outside when I'm brainstorming or creating, and especially to take photos! SFtsy: What tools do you use that are absolutely essential and makes a huge difference in your day to day process?: Mahika: A notebook is helpful for writing down statistics (high/low performers), order details, to do lists, and ideas. I also love making collages of photographs for inspiration! SFtsy: How did you get involved with Etsy?: Mahika: I had always adored the natural beauty products, accessories, and jewelry on Etsy, so when I had the idea to sell handmade items for charity I immediately thought of opening a shop. I am so glad I did, because the experience of having an Etsy shop and the people I have met through it are absolutely amazing! SFtsy: What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop? Mahika: My biggest challenge is not being able to grow as much as I'd like. Because this shop is more of a hobby than a full time career like many small business owners, I can only make small investments in my shop, for supplies and tools, that are reliant on sales. However, I am grateful to have been able to have made a difference - last year I was able to purchase a goat for a family with the proceeds from my shop. SFtsy: What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite? (optional): Mahika: My favorite item is the Alyssa Necklace, which is a beachy glass bottle necklace containing golden sand and a tiny seashell! It's inspired by the stunning golden sand beaches of Hawaii. I love it because you can take a little bit of the beach with you, wherever you go! You can find it here: SFtsy: What are your favorite tools or apps that help you with your business?: Mahika: EtsyRank was recommended by a fellow SF Etsy member, and I love it! There are so many features that can really help improve your shop. SFtsy: What does buying and selling local handmade mean to you? Or Why should people support small business and handmade? Mahika: Our world is so commercialized nowadays that brand names hold more significance than beauty or quality! Handmade items have so many benefits over mass-manufactured items - they're often higher quality, made with better materials and attention to detail, much more unique and best of all, they're made with love! SFtsy: As makers we all suffer from creative blocks - what do you do to unblock to let your creativity flow?: Mahika: Visiting a new place, even if it's only a few miles away, is always a good idea. I take lots of pictures to remember the moment, and then grab a pad of paper and sketch out a bunch of ideas. What I mostly have trouble with is stopping and erasing a sketch or telling myself "Eh, I don't know if that will be so popular..". A writing teacher of mine never let us free write or brainstorm in pencil, only in pen, with no scratching things out. That's a good principle to apply with your art - never destroy new ideas when they're still in their beginning stages. Allow yourself time to sit on an idea and let it blossom!
SFtsy: What are you working on right now?
Mahika: Right now, I'm working on expanding my collections into other countries. Currently I have in mind a marine biodiversity collection for French Polynesia and some Sakura (cherry blossom) and silk pieces for Japan! SFtsy: What does the future hold for your Etsy Shop and you personally as a maker or small business?: Mahika: I hope to expand to even more collections, and maybe even do partnerships with other Etsy shops or bloggers! Additionally, I would love to connect with more members of the Etsy community and to learn from other makers with more experience, to continue to grow. SFtsy: Give us some insight on how you personally, or your shop, gives back to your community. Mahika: 10% of profits are donated to charities around the world. I have pinpointed local charities I believe in, in each location, that will be donated to. Causes include Family Services, Environmental Awareness, Clean Water Initiatives, and Disaster Relief. I firmly believe in the power of helping others, and I hope my shop will be an outlet for positive change! SFtsy: Anything else you would like to add? : Mahika: Send me an Etsy convo so we can connect! Use coupon code 'SFETSY' for 25% off your purchase! You can find out more about Latitude Design Studio at: Instagram: www.Instagram.com/latitudedesignstudio
Friday Features are run by Raji of Red Kerria Designs. To see your own shop featured, please fill out the form here.
Corrections: Mahika's name had been spelled wrong as Mihika. This has been corrected. Mahika turned 14 in October and her age has been updated as well.
Hope everyone has had a great summer so far. After a short break we are back with another Friday Feature. This week we are featuring the Etsy Shop Adorn By Anita. Owner, Anita Bora makes jewelry and ceramics. She started crafting a couple of years ago and is extremely drawn towards the whole handmade journey. When friends started to ask for some of her work, it was really encouraging and that's how the passion grew. It gives her immense satisfaction to see something she has made being used or worn by someone. . She has a part-time job and persues this on the side.
SFEtsy: How did you learn your craft?
Anita: I chanced upon a jewelry store around 3 years ago when traveling in New Jersey and I found the whole process of putting beads and findings together really interesting. I didn't take any formal classes, but I started learning via videos on YouTube - there are so many wonderful people who share their ideas and techniques. I also learn a lot about polymer clay and began playing around with this medium too. Around the same time, I did a beginners ceramics class in India. When I moved to the US in 2015, I had some time on my hands and decided to renew ceramics journey and I was able to learn a lot more since I was able to focus on fine-tuning and practicing various skills and techniques. I also enjoy making ceramic jewelry - seeing clay transform into a piece of wearable art by shaping and glazing/painting it just fascinating and extremely fulfilling. I continue to learn everyday and right now I try and find as many opportunities to continue this journey! SFEtsy: Tell us about your creative process, where do you begin and how does it evolve?: Anita: I have various sources of inspiration. One is just things I see around me. For example, I was sitting at the airport and suddenly noticed a very interesting pattern. I sketched it. Or sometimes, I'll see something on the wall, art on the street etc. and I keep documenting them, taking pictures. I later try and see how I can incorporate them either into my jewelry or clay in terms of patterns, shapes and textures. Secondly, I also use ideas I see online as an inspiration, but then I try and put my own touch or twist to it. So, it's more of creative inspiration and evolution! SFEtsy: What inspires your creations?: Anita: Nature, people, places, things and just random thoughts and ideas I have - like images in my head in the night before I go to sleep! SFEtsy: What's your work schedule / routine like? Anita: During the week, I usually spend around 2 days at least working on various aspect of my creative process - whether it's actually making things, doing photography, updating Facebook and the Etsy page. I also work on weekends when I have special orders or a project I'm working on. Tell us about your work space - where do you create? I have a small working area at home and I try and manage in that space. So I work on my jewelry pieces there. With clay, it's more challenging so I go to a studio where I can practice anytime I want to. I do all my bisque, glazing and final firing there. SFEtsy: What tools do you use that are absolutely essential and makes a huge difference in your day to day process?: Anita: Every tool plays a part and there are so many that are invaluable. I think for jewelry, it's almost impossible to do anything without the pliers and in clay, it's the needle tool! But I think the greatest tool is one's hand! SFEtsy: How did you get involved with Etsy? Anita: Etsy has been a kind of aspirational marketplace for me and I always thought I should perfect my art before starting a store. But then I realized, that the craft journey itself is unending and a process of constant evolving and learning. One never really gets to a stage where they can say, "this is it, I don't have anything else to learn". So I just decided to jump in and kickstart the journey! SFEtsy: What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop? Anita: As a beginner, and a newly launched shop, the challenge is obviously to get people to visit the shop. And buy! It's like being a small fish in a very big ocean, trying to get noticed. It's a bit daunting and challenging and sometimes I wonder what I should do next, but I'm trying to read, learn and absorb as much as possible from other sellers via the groups and forums. SFEtsy: What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite? Anita: I did a whole series of mugs around dogs and cats, and I really enjoyed making them. They are all hand-painted and took me a lot of time, but creatively I really enjoyed the whole process. I sold quite a few of them offline, but I'm hoping it catches the interest of more animal lovers online. SFEtsy: What are your favorite tools or apps that help you with your business?: Anita: I've been trying to make sure I participate in the forums and groups. I've joined quite a few teams and I'm hoping that will help grow the business as I go along. I definitely would like to do a physical event with the SF Etsy team soon. SFEtsy: Share with us one lesson you have learned as an online seller. Anita: Be patient, learn, ask questions and don't give up hope! SFEtsy: What does buying and selling local handmade mean to you? Or Why should people support small business and handmade? Anita: I'm passionate about handmade because I feel that you're encouraging creativity, passion and talent. I had a conversation with a buyer recently, who asked why a mug was priced as it was. I explained the whole process to her - and how much a handmade artist makes and she immediately bought the mug! I read this sign (and I don't remember it verbatim) but it said how you buying handmade helps put food on an artist's table, support their kids and encourage an art form. Personally, I would rather buy one $40 mug from an artist and have the money go directly to him/her than four $10 mugs out of a machine made mold, with no character (and in which case I have no idea who my money's going to). I'm not proposing that we fill our homes with handmade (which is also not a bad option!), but I think that we can definitely do our bit by supporting handmade artists. SFEtsy: What skill or craft would you also like to become more proficient at and why? Anita: As makers we all suffer from creative blocks - what do you do to unblock to let your creativity flow?: One thing I've learnt is to walk away from something and come back to it later, when you have a creative block. And most of the time, it works. Do something else, tackle a different project. You'll find the diversion helps! SFEtsy: What are you working on right now? (optional): Anita: I'm working on a new batch of ceramic jewelry in May/June and I have some fresh ideas for it. Hopefully, I should be able to get some of them online on the Etsy store. SFEtsy: What does the future hold for your Etsy Shop and you personally as a maker or small business?: Anita: I wish I was a star gazer or a fortune teller! I would have loved to know where this journey will lead. Right now, my aim is just to keep making work that will appeal to people. I want buyers to start recognizing and wanting to possess my creations. I know that this will take time, but that's a place I would love to be. Even if it takes a few years, I'll keep working towards that goal.
Friday Features are run by Raji of Red Kerria Designs. To see your own shop featured, please fill out the form here.
Katia Tsvetkova owner of Lights Out Go Bed makes sleep masks with a variety of patterned fun fabrics. Her adventures in sewing began about 6 years ago when she learnt to sew to make clothes for herself.
SFEtsy: Tell us about your creative process, where do you begin and how does it evolve?
Katia: I begin with the fabric. Picking it is both easy and hard. Easy because it's fun, but hard because I need to make sure they coordinate. Then it's making sure I have all the pieces (front, back, felt, inside muslin, elastic) and then cutting them all out, pinning together, sewing, clipping the seams, and then top stitching after turning right side out. SFEtsy: What inspires your creations? Katia: I love sleep. LOVE IT! But it's hard to sleep when the light is. With my husband and I have different schedules, he goes to bed a lot later than me. So I need a sleep mask. I figured I can't be the only one. Especially in a city where people have roommates, go out party, work multiple shifts and jobs and need to get reliable sleep in between.
SFEtsy: What's your work schedule / routine like?
Katia: I have a full time job. I do work on my sleep masks during lunch sometimes, and then I'll go to Sips n' Sews (a sewing studio in San Francisco) and chill out there in the evenings a few times a week and on weekends to work on these. SFEtsy: Tell us about your work space - where do you create? Katia: I mainly now create at Sips n' Sews. They have the space that I need, the machines that I love, and a plethora of threads that I can use. It's a great space. And the people there are awesome. So, good work, good tea, and good company. SFEtsy: What tools do you use that are absolutely essential and makes a huge difference in your day to day process? Katia: Canva and Paint.net are my #1 electronic tools for editing and publishing. Other than that, I need to have the materials I need to make it: sewing machine, thread, pins, good scissors, felt, and awesome fabric. SFEtsy: How did you get involved with Etsy? Katia: I got involved after I decided to make the masks for sale, instead of just for myself. Mainly because I had leftover fabric from a project, and needed to use it. I only have so many people to give these out to as gifts.
SFEtsy: What is your biggest challenge related to your Etsy shop?
Katia: Marketing myself was/is the hardest part. I set up the shop, and had nothing ready for it. But now my selection is growing, and I'm learning as I go. SFEtsy: What is your favorite item in your shop (currently for sale or previously sold)? Why is it your favorite? Katia: I love the gray cats. I have this sleep mask for myself, and made some for friends. SFEtsy: What has been your biggest success and/or proudest moment since opening your Etsy shop? Katia: Learning shipping...no, seriously. That's my proudest moment. SFEtsy: What are your favorite tools or apps that help you with your business? Katia: Canva, Paint.net, and Instagram. SFEtsy: Share with us one lesson you have learned as an online seller. Katia: Photography is brutal. I'm glad I have a good camera, and the space to take photos (and play around with them), because getting the perfect 5 shots is a PITA. But it's so crucial! Also, the photo viewer on your PC does not show the proper coloring of your photos (for me it's a lot yellower), and you need to use a different program to see the true colors.
SFEtsy: What does buying and selling local handmade mean to you? Or Why should people support small business and handmade?
Katia: I appreciate the time people took to make something, especially something useful and fun. It's different, it's not mass produced, and in some cases, it's one of a kind. SFEtsy: What skill or craft would you also like to become more proficient at and why? Katia: For sewing, it's the goal of the perfect pant fit. Professionally, writing the perfect copy. SFEtsy: As makers we all suffer from creative blocks - what do you do to unblock to let your creativity flow? Katia: The funny thing is, the sleep masks are my process to keep my creativity flowing. They're relatively quick to make, and keep me sewing. Then when I get into the mood of sewing some wardrobe items, I can quickly transition into that. SFEtsy: Tell us about your first sale ever? Katia: It was completely organic. A complete stranger bought one of the masks, and I was soooo excited! But then came the realization of "well, what do I ship this in?" SFEtsy: What does the future hold for your Etsy Shop and you personally as a maker or small business?: Katia: I'm really not sure yet. I need to read up about how to properly go about opening this business so that I can do wholesale, and then aggressively market myself. Or I may not. It's still up in the air.
Katia personally donates to the Marine Mammal Center and supports what they do.
Katia also accepts custom orders, but the delivery timeline of that will depend on how soon she can find the fabric for the theme that has been requested. You can find out more about Lights Out Go Bed at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LightsOutGoBed/
Friday Features are run by Raji of Red Kerria Designs. To see your own shop featured, please fill out the form here.
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November 2020
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