Shop of the Week - MoonlightDreams

The Etsy Twitter Team presents this weeks' featured shop, MoonlightDreams and it's creator, Barbara Gordon. Barbara crochets a variety of accessories from hats to lacey gloves, from cowls to flower pins. Her items are designed for young adults and both men and women. Barbara says "I feel that my products are stylish, without being 'over the top', and I painstakingly check, and recheck my items before I ship them out. I want them to be fashionable, functional, and extremely durable, at affordable prices."

Barbara lives in sunny Southern California, where the weather greatly influences her approach to business. "I love making warm and cuddly hats and accessories, but the cold season is very short here. Etsy has been my saving grace, allowing me to market my products to the folks in colder climates". Etsy extends her season to include both the Northern and Southern hemisphere (yes! she ships internationally). She focuses on preparing new designs and products during the warmer months.

Barabara learned to crochet at the tender age of 8 years old. "I had a babysitter who wisely taught me to engage in something that would hold my interest and keep me focused. Crocheting has been a lifelong friend to me, and I’ve often thought of that lady and have always felt grateful to her for taking the time to teach a child a craft."

While Barbara's day job is neither artistic nor creative, the work she creates for Etsy allows her to "keep balance and peace in my world". Many an Etsian will understand that!

Barbara's Twitter advice to new tweeters: "Post interesting bits of news intermingled with sale information, and your shop and team promotions. Keep people interested in following you."

I asked Barbara: If you were stranded alone on a dessert island, what 5 things would you want with you? Her response:

"1.Yarn! Because as long as I have yarn with me I’m never bored.
2. My camera, so I could create beautiful pictures.
3. TV (I’m an addict) - I know it’s an island, but I can dream!
4. Water - because without water there is no life.
5. Internet connection - I love being connected to people."


20% off items in MoonlightDreams.Etsy.com
Redeem at checkout with code ETTSOTW20
Valid Monday, January 10, 2011, through
Sunday, January 16, 2011
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Etsy Shops: MoonlightDreams AND Barbara Gordon Photography
Twitter: Twitter.com/barbgordonphoto
Facebook: facebook.com/mymoonlightdreams


Written by Judy of WellspringCreations

Shop of the Week - yarncoture

This week the Etsy Twitter Team is featuring yarncoture, the Etsy shop of Maryum Karim. Maryum is a knit/crochet accessories designer who makes an entire line of knit and crochet sweaters, hats, shrugs, scarves, brooches, spa items, and in the near future, perhaps, even bedding and home decor items!

The designs of yarncoture are aimed at customer comfort and satisfaction. Maryum offer a wide range of products and price points to accommodate every preference and be attractive to any budget. Maryum adds, "I also specialize in custom work to provide my customers with a "haute-couture" boutique experience...there's always going to be something special that a man or woman would like to own in their wardrobe and the experience of creating something special for someone is truly...rewarding".

Looking through her shop, it's not surprising that Maryum delights in using the finest materials and trying out new stiches and techniques. And inspiration? She says "Anything can inspire me..a strong personality, a beautiful vintage button, some soft fluffy yarn...anything! I can see a specific person or a specific group of materials and I will try to create around those things to fashion together something extraordinary."

Keep an eye on yarncoture for new designs for the Fall/Winter 2019-2011 season! Maryum is halfway to her goal of 300 sales this year and she's hoping the winter season will bring in lots of sales...and very satisfied repeat customers!

Maryum uses Twitter in a way reminiscent of fine shopkeepers by greeting everyone, talking a little bit about what she's working on, responding to other people's tweets of interest, and maybe tweet about some of the items in her Etsy shop. She believes that keeping her virtual shelves stocked with new and unique items is what brings sales to her shop...and that great customer service results in wonderful word-of-mouth advertising!


yarncoture is offering
Free Worldwide Shipping on SELECTED items
Free Shipping on EVERYTHING shipped within the U.S. and Canada
20% off on all Basketweave Knit Scarves and
20% off on all Amazing Chunky Skinny Scarves
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Check out yarncoture through these venues!
Etsy: http://www.yarncoture.etsy.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/yarncoture
Blog: http://www.yarncoture.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/HandKnitsbyYarncoture

..and how about her latest Fall Collection video?!

Written by Judy of Wellspring Creations

Shop of the Week: Maine Lee Crochet

Ginny, from Maine Lee Crochet, has been in business on Etsy since March 2008. She makes gorgeous all crochet or knit items. Everything is handmade by her and ready to ship. Some of her items include hats, socks, scarves, dishcloths, and towels with crochet tops.

What she wants you to know about her products: “My product is high quality and made with my heart. I love what I do and I hope it shows in my items. If I don't like the way something turns out it doesn't get listed for sale. My ‘oops’ products stay at my house for my own use.”

Her promotional efforts: ”I use MySpace, word of mouth, I leave business cards where ever I can. I use the forums a lot. I also visit the chat rooms on Etsy and talk about my items, the way they are made, and the material used.” I like that she talks about her items in the forums rather than just posting a link and running like so many people do.

She ships internationally! Stop by her shop for some good crocheted love!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade MaineLeeCrochet.etsy.com