SOTW - KnittingGuru

The Etsy Twitter Team proudly presents this week's shop of the week: KnittingGuru!

KnittingGuru products are targeted to people who love to wear designs that are both one of a kind and flattering to the wearer, and made from fine quality fibers. Her creations use natural fibers for their durability, luxurious feel, and earth friendly sustainability. Her description "ecoChic" is truly accurate.

KnittingGuru products differ from other knitwear and crochet on Etsy because they are all original KnittingGuru designs, meticulously crafted, made to fit and flatter, use fine yarns and distinctive stitches. An unusual twist: she often combines both knitting and crochet in one garment and the result is a classy and unique garment.

As a member of the Etsy Twitter Team, Twitter is a key feature of her market visibility: Her advice: Twitter is a great way to get your pieces seen by lots of people, but it’s also important to write about other things than your products. KnittingGuru has observed that her Twitter followers respond to discounts limited to Twitter contacts.

KnittingGuru is based in her hometown, New York City. She's a big museum visitor and says, "There are so many artists who I love and who have influenced me that it’s exceptionally hard to choose just one. I have always been drawn to Van Gogh for his range of style, artistic development and especially for his use of color, composition and texture." In addition, "Living in New York City has a profound influence on my work, creativity and inventory. NYC yarn stores tend to be expensive boutiques by and large, so I get most of my yarns online and from wholesale suppliers. However, I still spend hours in the wonderful bead stores, fabric and supply stores that abound here in the garment district. I love to walk, so I'm exposed to the amazing styles both in stores and on people in the street. New York is always changing, so there’s an ongoing fashion show all the time. In addition, I’m very influenced by nature so wandering through Central Park and being surrounded by water yield many design ideas. The opera, ballet, concert halls and theater are all inspirations too."

On a personal note, she shares that her mother taught her to knit and crochet when she was only 4 years old! She says, "I would have to give her the title of most influential. Without that very early training, I would be a totally different artist now. Because I learned to knit and crochet before I could read, I’ve always seen both crafts as a starting place for design and have never used other people’s patterns. Also, when you learn things that early in life, they become who you are and an integral part of your existence. I knit and crochet all the time. I often knit even when when I’m reading, and certainly when I’m socializing, watching a movie, or riding in a car, train or airplane. It’s the background (or foreground depending on complexity of design) to everything else in my life."


A Special Discount from KnittingGuru to YOU:
"I’m so delighted to be Shop of the Week on EtsyTwitter where I’ve been a member for quite awhile. I’d be happy to offer 20% off anything in my shop for this week. Fortunately Valentine’s Day is approaching, so that will be a good time to shop for the many romantic pieces I have. To get your discount, write to me at Etsy (convo) first giving the code EtsyTwitterTeamSOTW and what you want and I'll post a revised listing(s) for you reflecting your discount. I hope you find things you like!"
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Keep in contact with KnittingGuru via
Etsy www.KnittingGuru.etsy.com
Twitter www.twitter.com/KnittingGuru
Facebook www.facebook.com/KnittingGuru
Blog www.KnittingGuruDesigns.blogspot.com
Website www.KnittingGuru.com


Written by Judy of WellspringCreations
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Shop of the Week - jusshar

The Etsy Twitter Team shop of the week is jusshar, featuring the sewn, knit, and crocheted accessories created by Beth Newbern-Hallam. Beth just doesn't run down to the store to buy material for every project. She loves to recyle yarns and fabrics. As she puts it, "I'm really dedicated to using what I have, and repurposing materials into something new." She does buy new materials for use in custom projects, unless the customer is like-minded and requests the repurposed materials!

As for ideas, Beth doesn't just get inspired; she is driven! "I just have an internal need to create. I knit and/or crochet every single day. I can't imagine NOT creating." Another thing Beth loves about her work is its mobility. She'll take it along on trips, car rides...even to her kids' school events! And if she's not getting the result she wants? "I can just unravel it and start over."

On the business front, Beth is planning to revamp her blog and website. She also plans to change the direction of her work from trying to hit trends to creating the items that come from her own imagination. This will be a challenge as she is a full time student in graphics and web design and planning a move to North Carolina where she plans to continue her college education. She wont' be alone though, as her youngest son will be attending the same college!

As for Twitter, Beth does tweet, but considers herself a "dabbler". As a business tool, she approaches social media carefully as she is concerned about being spammy. "That's such a turn off for me personally." Bringing business to her shop has been a struggle, although she has concluded that her sales are cyclical, with increased activity over the holidays. With her busy college schedule and planned relocation, Beth is planning to put her Etsy shop on an indefinate break on November 30th. "I'd like to sell out my Etsy shop(s) by then."


This week, jusshar is offering
25% off to anyone who adds
"SOTW" in the message to the seller!
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Other links to jusshar:
Etsy Shop: http://jusshar.etsy.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jusshar
Facebook: http://facebook.com/jusshardesigns
Blog: http://jusshardesigns.blogspot.com

Written by Judy of Wellspring Creations

Shop of the Week - crochetgal

The Etsy Twitter Team's shop of the week is crochetgal which not only offers crocheted wearable art and specialty yarns, but also display mannequins. Valerie, the crochet talent and proprietor, also sells handcrafted soap dishes made in her family's woodshop!

Valerie is the sole designer and creator of crochetgal's crocheted offerings. She crochets each item with meticulous detail and is equally committed to customer service. She is inspired by "almost anything" she says, "from an interesting piece of material to a shape to a color". Valerie loves the flexibility and change possible with her craft as she explores various methods in detail. She says, "Right now I'm in my 'exploded lace' period with the crochet and have been there for about 3 years, but I see that direction changing within the next 2 years."

Valerie takes her business very seriously by setting both short and long-term goals. Initially, she defined a 5-year plan to make the business 'work' and provide an income. Her next 2-year plan was to double the size of the business. Her current 2-year plan is to double the volume of each year's business over the previous year. "It's ambitious, but without a goal in mind, a business cannot flourish."

A great deal of energy is spent during the Winter shows. She spends her summer planning her strategy...and relaxing while she can! In her spare moments she likes to tweet. Her emphasis is to interact with other people using Twitter, rather than posting continuous links.



crochetgal is celebrating
Christmas in July with
20% off all shawls
20% off a wide range of yarns,
(some yarns are net 65% off reg retail price!)
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Etsy shop - crochetgal.etsy.com
Confessions of a Yarnaholic Blog - crochetgals.blogspot.com
Twitter - twitter.com/crochetgal

Written by Judy of WellspringCreations