Etsy Seller Feature and GIVEAWAY: KB Photography

Note: KB Photography has reached 100 facebook fans and the giveaway has ended. Still read on and find out more about this great artist!
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While surfing the pages of Etsy, I came across KB Photography, a shop whose photography was both intriguing and mysterious. Among other things, she takes close ups of everyday items with vibrant bursts of color, making the ordinary extraordinary. I had the chance to get to talk to shop owner, Kelly, about her photography. I wanted to share this gem with all of you!

Read on to find out more about KB Photography, and how you could win any piece of photography from her shop!

How long have you been selling on Etsy?
I joined Etsy back in September of last year and I have been selling for just over three weeks now!

What role does Etsy play in your life?
At this point, Etsy plays a big role in my life in that it gives me the ability to promote my photography. As a stay-at-home-mom to my three kiddos, it feels good knowing that I am able to be home with them while also contributing to our family’s financial needs.

 

How did you get involved with photography?
I have always had a love for photography - I can remember dressing my younger brother and sister up and making them pose for me. I think that my true passion for it was discovered when I started having children. I have a hard time putting my camera down as I truly enjoy capturing all the special moments in the lives of my little ones. You know how they say that you take less pictures the more children you have? That saying does not ring true for me at all – in fact, I am the exact opposite!

Where does your inspiration come from?
From everywhere! I am inspired by so many things! My children are my biggest inspiration, but I also find beauty in the everyday. I started a 365 project at the beginning of this year in order to stretch myself personally as well as in my photography. It has really helped to give me a new perspective! I enjoy going for walks to see what I can find. I make an effort to pay attention to the tiniest of details, to look at things I’ve seen many times over in a new light. It’s amazing what you can discover if you just stop and observe. If you take a moment to look not just at the big picture, but also at all the little things that help to make up the big picture.

What advice do you have for aspiring photographers?
If it is what you love to do, if it is your passion – keep going! Think outside the box and take tons and tons of pictures! If you want to better your abilities, improve your craft – you’ve got to practice and take risks. In practicing, you will discover your style and what most inspires you. Good luck and happy shooting!

Anything else you'd like to add?
Really just a big, heartfelt thank you to everyone that has been so supportive and encouraging to me thus far! You all helped me in gaining the courage I needed to start this journey and I am excited to see where it takes me!

Now you have the amazing chance to win a beautiful photography print from this artist. Win any photo from her shop, in any listed size! This is open to everyone!

How to enter…

Mandatory Entry

ONE ENTRY: Like KB Photography’s facebook fan page. Then, return here and let me know you did and under what facebook username.  Also leave your email so we can contact you if you win. If you already are a fan on facebook, just remind us below to enter.

We will draw the winner once she reaches 100 fans so there are a limited number of entries for this giveaway. KB Photography’s facebook: www.facebook.com/KellyBosPhotography

Bonus Entries

ONE ENTRY: Also on KB Photography’s facebook, “like” the photo you think you would select if you were to win this giveaway. In another comment below, let us know which one you selected.

ONE ENTRY: Follow this blog, and then let me know below. If you’re already a follower, just remind me below for a bonus entry.

Good Luck everyone! I will continue to update you as we get closer to drawing the winner!





Kelly and her family. A beautiful photograph, of course!



Etsy Seller Feature: NatesMommyMadeIt

I recently visited Etsy shop, NatesMommyMadeIt, and immediately fell in love with owner Makisha’s reusable cloth wipes, blankets, and rag dolls, but it was the reusable sandwich and snack bags that I absolutely had to have.  NatesMommyMadeIt made me two incredibly durable reusable baggies, with a thick velcro strip to keep all contents inside. These bags are very easy to clean, and I have no need for the plastic, disposable variety anymore, so I will save money (woohoo!)! All the while, reducing my carbon footprint! I couldn’t be happier with my purchase.

I had also had the opportunity to ask Makisha some questions about her business…

How long have you been selling on Etsy?

I have been selling for a little over a year now. 

What role does Etsy play in your life?

It really has a pretty big role right now. Being a mom of two little ones and staying at home and raising them, is very important to my husband and I. My shop is a way for me to supplement our income, and continue to stay at home with my kids! 

Explain your typical day.

Ha, ha...very busy! Mornings are spent checking and replying to emails in between feeding my kids breakfast and getting them dressed. If I need to make a run to the post office, it's usually done in the morning, unless of course I have more than a couple packages. A post office trip with 8 packages, a four year old, and a two year old, don't mix very well for anyone involved! Those trips are saved for the evening when my husband gets home and I get to sneak off for a quiet trip alone.

During the day, I try to focus on the kids as much as possible, although some days I really do have to just get some work done. I am fortunate that my kids love doing crafts, and I can usually keep them busy with a pile of fabric or other crafts. My husband has graciously offered to take over "bath time" and I get some free time in the evenings to get a little sewing in. Most of my "work time" comes after the kids are in bed for the night. It makes for a long day!

Tell me about your product(s).

I sell a wide variety of baby and children's items. Baby blankets, reusable cloth wipes, dolls and stuffed animals and reusable sandwich/snack bags. All of the items in my shop you will see in my own home! I hope that others can get as much pleasure and joy out of my creations as we do.

 

What advice do you have for new Etsy sellers?

I would say go for it! If you want to become successful, you have to put a lot of hard work and dedication into it. Join a few great teams, get involved with the Etsy community, ask for advice and don't give up! 

Anything else you'd like to add?

I feel very lucky that I have found Etsy. I have met a lot of really nice people, and have the most fabulous customers!!

Check out all of NatesMommyMadeIt's items at http://www.natesmommymadeit.etsy.com/!

Etsy Seller Feature: littlepearlquilts

I recently encountered Etsy shop, littlepearlquilts, specializing in modern embroidery and patchwork. The designer, Jessa, features baby quilts, cotton play food, and my favorite, crinkle toys. I purchased one of these for my 9 month old son, and it has since been my best investment. It has a permanent place on his high chair to entertain him while I prepare his meals. He plays with the soft tags and crumples the square in his hands to hear that oh-so-interesting crinkle sound. I had the pleasure of getting to ask Jessa some questions about her products, her shop, and her life with Etsy…

How long have you been selling on Etsy?  

I think my Etsy page says that my shop opened in 2008, but that's just when I found Etsy, fell in love, and started shopping. I actually just started selling this February, so July makes 6 months.

What role does Etsy play in your life?

I spend my days at home, caring for my toddler and my mom, who has early-onset Alzheimer's. My days are full, and it can be kind of lonely. Etsy has been really wonderful for me, a way to connect with the outside world, to get mood-lifting praise and feedback from my customers, and to make enough money to buy all the pretty fabric I love.

Explain your typical day.

I squeeze moments of sewing in between changing diapers, cooking dinner, sweeping, laundry, and errands. I also get a lot done at night, after my little one goes to sleep. My husband has his own Etsy shop, http://www.candyandoysters.etsy.com/, and it's nice to have that evening time together, just the two of us, him painting and me sewing, with the house quiet and peaceful.

Tell me about your product(s).

I make quilts and soft toys for babies and kids. I've just started selling some clothing, like these baby pants: http://www.etsy.com/listing/76225792/cotton-seersucker-baby-pants-peppermint. The quilts are my favorite. I love seeing the colors and prints I choose come together to make something new and beautiful. I use an improvisational piecing method that makes each quilt one-of-a-kind. I use all natural materials as much as possible, because that's what I always want for my own baby - and soft, 100% cotton is just so nice to work with.

What advice do you have for new Etsy sellers?

Be patient, and make what you love. Also, shop on Etsy! I love buying gifts and material and supplies from other Etsy sellers. It's a great way to make connections, add to your own positive feedback, and support other small business owners just like yourself.

Anything else you'd like to add?
I love doing custom orders. Getting to know my wonderful customers is one of my favorite things about  Etsy. I love seeing their choices and favorite colors come together to make something really special, that I might not have thought of myself but really love in the end. And I love hearing about the little ones I'm sewing for, and embroidering their sweet names, and thinking about them snuggled up with their special things.

View all of littlepearlquilts' items at http://www.littlepearlquilts.etsy.com/.