Let's all congratulate Hundchen, this week's winner!

You voted, and you decided that Hundchen's heavenly treasury Our Father is this week's winner!

I asked Natalie, shop owner of Hundchen, to tell me more about herself and her Etsy shop.

'I started creating very recently, but I think it runs in my blood. My mom owns her own jewelry shop, [which] is the reason I got into Etsy... I decided to gear my craft towards dogs because I've always felt a strong connection and love for our four-legged friends.'

'I love being able to give back to animals in need by selling something that I enjoy making!' At Hundchen, 25% of each sale (including shipping) is donated to the Humane Society of Utah, a local no-kill shelter. And, until the end of June, an additional 25% will be donated to Etsian, ClaudiaBruno's animal rescue Calliope Rescue in Boston, MA.

'I wanted to make items that would fit any occasion and anyone's personal style. I lived in Hollywood for a while and always saw people and their dogs dress[ed] alike, going out in style. I wanted to make that option available for people without [having to spend] an arm and a leg at a Hollywood dog boutique.'

'My favorite things to work with are dog booties! I love being able to make something unique that you can't buy anywhere [else]. I start[ed] with a base pair of booties and [have] grow from there. I've recently started branching out into hats and accessories as well.'

'It's hard to categorize my work with just one genre. One day I'll be making cutsie pink dog shirts and the next day I'll make a steampunk top hat! I absolutely love doing custom work for people, so if you have any ideas in mind, let me know!'

'In the future I hope to be able to expand my inventory. I am trying to branch out into areas that are neglected and help cater to every need and desire.'

Check out Natalie's creations for your fashionable furry friends at her Etsy shop Hundchen, and help support some good causes too!

Want to be featured next week? Then make sure you play with us on Wednesday when the treasury theme will be I need a vacation! Anyone can play & get creative with the theme, it can mean anything to you! Just remember to wait till Wednesday to make your treasury so it'll count!

It's Wednesday, Get Your Treasury On!

It's Wednesday! Time for another round of Treasury Challenge. Anyone can play! Challenges last 24 hrs. This week's the theme is totally up to you, but you must include this weeks winner's item in your treasury.  Remember, to be creative with your theme.

Here is a link to the item you must include

Towel Cake -- Golf

Check back Friday to vote. The winner will be featured on The Undiscovered blog on Monday!

The rest of the rules are as follows:

1) One item per shop
2) Spread the love...please don't include an item from your own shop
3) Include at least 8 undiscovered shops (20 sales or less)
4) Include at least 6 members of of Team Undiscovered (we use the tag teamundiscovered). Team members can count as undiscovered shops if they have 20 sales or less.
-The rest of the items are up to you today!
5) Include the tags: teamundiscovered, undiscovered
6) Include 'Team Undiscovered Challenge' somewhere in your treasury title
7) Write in your treasury description that you're participating in the Wednesday Team Undiscovered Treasury Challenge & include a link to our blog:
http://theundiscoveredofetsy.blogspot.com/
8) Post your treasury's URL here to enter your treasury in the challenge!

Let's All Congratulate CarlasCreativeCorner, this week's winner!

You voted...and this week, you decided that you loved being Outside in the Garden. So let's congratulate Carla of Carla's Creative Corner, this week's treasury challenge winner.

I asked Carla to tell me a bit about herself and her Etsy shop.

'I've been doing art work for nearly as long as I can remember. My mother use to draw pictures for [my siblings and I] (I have four brothers and sisters) and I think that was an inspiration to me. I began drawing profile portraits of lovely ladies for my classmates in the first grade. Using a first grader's favorite medium, crayons, they were very colourful. The kids would put [in] their orders for blonds, brunettes or redheads!'

Nowadays, Carla's medium of choice is watercolour, though she does experiment with coloured pencils. 'I take my camera with me everywhere to capture subjects for painting. Living in California, I am surrounded by beauty. One of the prints featured in my shop is of Burney Falls, a lovely place to visit and find inspiration.'

'I'm kind of casual country...But you know what they say, "Creative minds are rarely tidy", so I guess you'd say I'm casual country clutter! I think my art reflects that. Speaking of clutter, my other shop, Carla's Vintage Finds, was started because of years of collecting and being a pack rat [resulting in] a huge need for downsizing!'

'For over 25 years now I have been showing and selling my art at a local gallery, Gallery and Gifts in the next town over the hill. I also do an occasional arts and craft show. It has always been exciting to sell my work face to face at a show but it's exciting here on Etsy too. When I get a convo from someone who has just received my art in the mail to tell me they "love it", well, it makes my day!...My first Etsy customer said she would love my paintings to "grace her home". I loved that!'

'As [for] plans for the future, I would love to get some of those ideas going around in my head down on paper, watercolor paper.'

Want to be featured next week? Make sure you play with us on Wednesday when the theme will be 'Paper Planes'. The theme can mean anything to you, so be creative and have fun!

Let's Congratulate SoulShineArts, this week's winner!

You voted, and this week's winner is Catherine of SoulShineArt's Check out her winning treasury "Have You The Wing"

We asked Catherine a bit about herself and her shop and this is what she told us...
  I am a stay at home mom with two young and rambunctious boys, ages 1 and 3.  Daily life is a little crazy, but always fun!  Learning to balance my art and motherhood has been quite the ongoing challenge, but lately it’s working really well.  I have spent most of my life drawing in a sketchbook or working on one artistic idea after another.  I just can’t seem to stop the ideas from coming.
       I graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 2006 with my BFA with a concentration in Art Education.  I am a certified K to 12 teacher and I have taught in two different High Schools in Southern Maine, at Portland High School and at Massabesic High School.  I only taught one year at each school, which were both fantastic learning experiences for me and I loved each and every day that I worked.  Unfortunately, my positions were cut at both schools after the one year that I taught due to budget shortfalls.  That is how I got to where I am.  Now, I want to go back to my goal that I started college with, which is to make money selling my artwork!
       I started my Etsy shop last year after a friend told me about it, but I ignored it for a long time.  This past March, I decided that I was really going to focus on it and figure out if it would work for me.  So I started listing and reading about Etsy and all the different teams you can join.  I started doing BNR’s which helped to get my sales up, but now I want to look for other ways of promoting.  I recently started a blog (www.soulshinearts.blogspot.com) and I just signed up on twitter under soulshinearts.  I’ve been on facebook for a while too.

How did you get started creating?
       I feel like I have been creating all my life.  My Dad had a little shop when I was growing up that sold some art supplies, which he always brought home to me.  I always had the best art supplies to use.  I remember going through this very thick Disney History book and drawing whatever characters that I wanted.  I still have a cray pas drawing that I did when I was like 12, of Sher Khan from Robin Hood that’s on 18 x 24 paper!  It hangs in my son’s room now.
       I focused on drawing and painting in high school.  When I went to college I concentrated on photography and found a love of sculpture and late in college found ceramics which is where I have stayed!

What are your favorite materials to work with?
       I work primarily with clay, although I am always trying to think of ways to incorporate other materials and other skills that I have into my ceramics.  I love altering pieces or carving them.  Adding a bit more to my pieces makes them more unique.  I love working with clay.  It’s down to earthy, messy, easy to manipulate and you can recycle it, so it is rarely wasted.

Where is your craft headed right now?
       I am currently working on creating a line of garden items, such as birdbaths, bird feeders and houses, and garden plaques.  I’m hoping to start doing more outdoor sculptures and lanterns also.  I have also been creating unique one of a kind ceramic jewelry pieces.  I have started doing rings (which I should be listing this week) along with my pendants and earrings.
       I have always had a hard time doing the same thing over and over, but now that I’m focused on ceramics, I’m working towards creating different seasonal lines.  I’m hoping by winter to be ahead of the season!

What is your personal style?
       I’m a bit of an earthy spirit.  In my everyday life, I’m kind of a bum!  Haha.  The mix of stay at home and potter do not leave me much room to dress nice!  I like all things natural and organic.  I am a novice organic gardner.  I cannot wait to get my garden going this year.  I already have my starts sprouting and some flower seeds planted.  This year I’m growing my own pumpkin patch and birdhouse gourds which I hope to do something artistic with.

What inspires you?
       Nature.  I like the flow of nature like the gentle curve of a vine or river.  I am trying to create inspiration by planting flowers and gardens around my house.  I live in a lovely wooded neighborhood in a small town in Southern Maine.  Being in Maine is inspiring in itself, with the great wooded area and the beautiful ocean vistas that we have.
       My family are also a huge part of my inspiration.  More for keeping me driven than subject.  I want my children to know how hard I’ve worked and that no matter what happens, I will always keep pushing through to achieve my dream, which is to make a living off what I love to do, my art!

What are your plans for the future?
       I’m only looking at this coming year right now.  I’ve made a huge decision not to apply to any teaching jobs in the next year.  It was a hard decision to make, since there was an opening in my home town, but I put myself through a roller coaster of emotions  every time that I apply for a job and I just need a year off from that.  I would love to continue this life until my kids go to school.  This is the most important time in their lives, so if I can be here for them now and try to start a market for my work, than I will have the best of both worlds!  I will be selling my ceramics through Craft Fairs, Flea Markets (with my vintage things), possibly Farmers Markets and Etsy.  I may try to get my stuff in some stores too.  I have a list of shows that I’m already in on my website.

Where else can you find Catherine? ...click any of the below
Facebook - 
My website - 
Blog - 
Twitter - soulshinearts
Etsy - www.soulshineart.etsy.com
       www.soulshinephotos.etsy.com
       www.vintagewithsoul.etsy.com


Thank you Catherine and congratulations

Would you like to be featured here...well its easy you just need to take part in the Wednesday Treasury Challenge. This weeks Theme is Outside and Loving it. Remember this can mean anything, be creative and have fun

Let's Congratulate CraftyStitchez, this week's winner!

You voted, and this week Ida of Crafty Stitchez is the winner! Check out her winning treasury, Timeless Wisdom.

I asked Ida about herself and her Etsy shop.

'For as long as I can remember I have had a love for arts and crafts. Both of my parents have an artistic eye [and my creative talents] were encouraged in my childhood household. My mother was always pedaling away at her sewing machine making beautiful creations and my father has an amazing talent for shaping pieces of wood into gorgeous furniture.'

'When I was a little girl, my mother taught me some of the basics of crochet. I never had the patience to finish any large projects as a child- I only ever pieced together a few doll sized blankets. It wasn’t until recently that I decided to get my hook working again.'

'I have a little one, and during the winter I grew frustrated with the poor quality of winter hats in all of the stores. My daughter had a beanie that was purchased at our local [big box store] and it was constantly falling off her head. After the Nth time that her hat fell off her sweet head, a light bulb went off in my brain. I turned to my husband and said, “I should just try to crochet her a winter hat.” My husband loved the idea. Not only would our child have a decent hat, I would have a creative outlet.'

Ida's shop of crocheted creations was born from this DIY project. 'My daughter had a cute winter hat that fit properly and kept her ears covered, and I found a hobby that [allowed me to] unleash my creative powers. Before long, I was improving my skills at the hook and building a lovely stash of items that were begging for a home.'

'...I like to use colors that are often found together in nature.' Ida is captivated by the beautiful arrays of colours found in sunrises, sunsets, waterfalls, and flowers. She tries to capture these naturally beautiful combinations in her work.

'I love my family. I have a supportive husband who encourages me to use my creative skills. My husband is a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to certain things, and the quality of goods is one of them. He personally inspects each of my items before I post it online. He is not only my best friend and the love of my life, but also a very good business partner.'

Selling her crochet work online fits in well with Ida's current occupation of motherhood. 'I love being a stay at home mommy. I am able to sit on the floor with my daughter as she plays and work on a project at the same time. It is a hobby and a job that I can easily set aside when she toddles over with her favorite book and wants me to read to her. I love that I can work on a project without being [separated] from my family. I can sit with them after a long day, relax, and chat, [all while] weaving fantastic creations.'

Check out Ida's crochet creations in her online shop, Crafty Stitchez.

Want to be featured next week? Make sure you play with us on Wednesday when the theme will be May Flowers.

Let's All Congratulate Khan Creations, this week's winner

It was another extremely close race this week. You voted, and Khan Creations' beautiful treasury, Vintage Flowers is the winner! To reward Aisha, shop owner of Khan Creations, we will all feature her item, Owl Wrapped in Romantic Chains Necklace. The theme this week is up to you! Check back Wednesday for rules & to post your link. Next week the winner could be you!

It's Wednesday, Get your rainy-day treasury skills on!

It's Wednesday! Time for another round of Treasury Challenge. Anyone can play! Challenges last 24 hrs. This week's theme is 'April Showers'. Remember, be creative with the theme it can mean anything to you!

Check back Friday to vote. The winner will be featured on The Undiscovered blog on Monday!

The rest of the rules are as follows:

1) One item per shop
2) Spread the love...please don't include an item from your own shop
3) Include at least 8 undiscovered shops (20 sales or less)
4) Include at least 6 members of of Team Undiscovered (we use the tag teamundiscovered). Team members can count as undiscovered shops if they have 20 sales or less.
-The rest of the items are up to you today!
5) Include the tags: teamundiscovered, undiscovered
6) Include 'Team Undiscovered Challenge' somewhere in your treasury title
7) Write in your treasury description that you're participating in the Wednesday Team Undiscovered Treasury Challenge & include a link to our blog:
http://theundiscoveredofetsy.blogspot.com/
8) Post your treasury's URL here to enter your treasury in the challenge!

A second day of congratulations- FrivolTees

We had our first ever tie this week on the Team Undiscovered treasury challenge, so today I'm featuring our second winner, FrivolTees.

I asked Laurie, owner of FrivolTees to tell me a bit about herself and her Etsy shop. 'I have always been surrounded by boys. [I grew] up with 6 brothers, then [raised] 4 boys with my husband, so my girlish side was a tad suppressed, to say the least. When my little girl was born, that was the go sign for my creativity. There was someone else to delight in all things whimsical and frivolous! Hence, my "frivolous" little company was born!'

'My main source of inspiration is my kids. I would never have opened this shop if I did not have them...I have tried really hard through trial and error, and a turned up little nose from my little girl, to create what is easy to use [and] interesting for children.'

'I love to work with color. I love picking out and coordinating fabrics and ribbons, [and] illustrating and coloring my [creations]... I [draw all of] the artwork and illustrations used in my shop. [Recently], I really broadened my materials list, trying to find something that interests my little girl or her brothers.'

'In the future, I would love to [continue] creating full-time and sending my creations worldwide. I am also working on several children's books (writing and illustrating) and would love to be a success at that [too].'

'I would like to close with a HUGE THANK YOU to all of my fellow Etsyians. I would not be a featured winner in this challenge if it weren't for you!! Etsy has been such an inspiration and a blessing for all of us creative people out there!!'

You can check out Laurie's shop FrivolTees here, and see her winning treasury here.

Want to be featured next week? Be sure to play tomorrow when the theme will be 'April Showers'. Please wait till Wednesday to make your treasury so it'll count! Rules will be up tomorrow as well as a place to post your links.

Let's Congratulate nobakecakes AND FrivolTees, this week's winners!

We had such wonderful treasuries this week that even you couldn't choose between them! For the first time ever, we have a tie between two winners!

I'll be featuring No Bake Cakes today AND FrivolTees tomorrow!

I asked Mona, owner of No Bake Cakes to tell me a bit about herself and her shop.

'Creativity has always been a part of my make-up. It always amazes me to see what my two hands can accomplish. Diaper cakes and towel cakes came about purely by chance. My son outgrew his diapers very quickly, and I hated letting the extra diapers go to waste. [I] thought [diaper cakes] would be a good way to pass the diapers on to someone else. After making a couple of cakes to give away, my husband said, “You could sell those!”.'

'[My cakes] are practical as well as pretty. I take everyday items that people need and use and transform them into something pretty that can be displayed. Afterwards, [the cake] can be taken apart [to use individual pieces].'

'I really enjoy making the towel cakes. I think there are so many occasions that can be celebrated with towel cakes aside from the often thought of wedding. They make great [gifts for] birthdays, graduations, housewarmings, Mother’s day, hostess gifts, or even just because.'

'When I make my cakes I try to think what [people] might like or use. But mostly I think my cakes embody the word fun. I find inspiration from my family and friends. They are so encouraging. My mom has been one of my biggest supporters. She is a big part of the shop. She is the one who creates the amazing aprons you see for sale along with the cakes.'

'Currently, I am a stay at home mom of two amazing children, ages 4 ½ and 16 months. I would love to see my business successfully develop to full-time by the time they are both in school.'

Help Mona realize her business dreams by checking out No Bake Cakes!

You can also check out her winning treasury here.

Check back tomorrow for FrivolTee's interview.

Want to be featured next week? Play the Team Undiscovered treasury challenge on Wednesday, when the theme will be 'April Showers'. Anyone can play! Rules will be posted on Wednesday as well as a place to post your treasury links.

It's Wednesday, Get your treasury skills on!

It's Wednesday! Time for another round of Treasury Challenge. Anyone can play! Challenges last 24 hrs.

This week you must include Khan Creation's item, Vintage Style Colorful Crystals Necklace. Be creative! The theme this week is up to you!


Check back Friday to vote. The winner will be featured on The Undiscovered blog on Monday!

The rest of the rules are as follows:

1) One item per shop
2) Spread the love...please don't include an item from your own shop
3) Include at least 8 undiscovered shops (20 sales or less)
4) Include at least 6 members of of Team Undiscovered (we use the tag teamundiscovered). Team members can count as undiscovered shops if they have 20 sales or less. -The rest of the items are up to you today!
5) Include the tags: teamundiscovered, undiscovered
6) Include 'Team Undiscovered Challenge' somewhere in your treasury title
7) Write in your treasury description that you're participating in the Wednesday Team Undiscovered Treasury Challenge & include a link to our blog: http://theundiscoveredofetsy.blogspot.com/
8) Post your treasury's URL here to enter your treasury in the challenge!

Let's All Congratulate tresundesigns, This Week's Winner!

We had some fabulous entries this week. I'm not surprised! Team Undiscovered- you are fabulous! And your treasuries keep getting better and better! You voted, and decided that The Color Purple knocked your socks off! So join me in congratulating Lauren of Tre Sun Designs, this week's treasury challenge winner!

I asked Lauren to tell me a bit about herself and her Etsy shop.

'I have always loved jewelry. When I was a child I would spend hours playing dress up with my Grandmother's costume jewelry. I also had quite the impressive rock collection!...As far as creating jewelry, I started doing that a few years ago. I first attended a local bead show and made quite a few purchases. After that I decided to take some jewelry classes and I was hooked forever!'

'Some of my favorite materials to use are antiqued brass, sterling silver, vintage buttons, vintage found items, gemstones, Czech glass and Swarovski crystals and rhinestones. I use a very high quality brass which is nickel-free and lead-free which is perfect for those like me who have sensitive skin.'

'Inspiration for my designs come from the beads and amazing gemstones I purchase and the vintage pieces that I find. I love creating new jewelry designs from vintage finds. Finding broken jewelry or mismatched vintage earrings is quite exciting.' Lauren really enjoys deciding how to repurpose these pieces, giving them new life in her designs.

'The other wonderful thing about using vintage jewelry is knowing it is so rich with history. For instance when I use vintage buttons I wonder, "who once wore these little treasures?".'

'I'm married and have 3 boys so life is quite busy but always fun and interesting! I love being a mother but I'm so happy to have my jewelry business as a creative outlet...Some of my jewelry is one-of-a-kind or part of a small run which is nice for those who purchase since they will be wearing something that is unique. Currently I sell at a local clothing boutique and I'm hoping to expand to another location in the next few months along with growing my Etsy business.'

'I really enjoy belonging to this team. Team members are so helpful and willing to give such valuable and insightful information. There is SO MUCH to learn about Etsy and I'm happy I'm not learning it alone!'

Me too Lauren! Me too. Check out Tre Sun Designs and show Lauren's shop some love!

Want to be featured next week? Then take part in this Wednesday Treasury Challenge! The theme will be 'Luck of the Irish'. Be creative, the theme can mean anything to you, and anyone can play! Make sure you wait till Wednesday to make your treasury so it will count!

The Wednesday Team Treasury Challenge!

The Wednesday challenge runs for 24 hrs. Anyone can play! The winner will have their shop featured on The Undiscovered blog next week! Check back on Friday to vote for your favourite :)

Well, this week kids have gone back to school....which means I'm headed back to work...but my job's pretty fun so this week's theme is:
"Work and Play"

Be creative with the theme, it can mean ANYTHING to you!

Here's the rules for contest entry:
1) One item per shop
2) Spread the love...please don't include an item from your own shop
3) Include at least 8 undiscovered shops (20 sales or less)
4) Include at least 6 members of of Team Undiscovered (we use the tag teamundiscovered). Team members can count as undiscovered shops if they have 20 sales or less.
-The rest of the items are up to you today!
5) Include the tags: teamundiscovered, undiscovered
6) Include 'Team Undiscovered Challenge' somewhere in your treasury title
7) Write in your treasury description that you're participating in the Wednesday Team Undiscovered Treasury Challenge & include a link to our blog:
http://theundiscoveredofetsy.blogspot.com/
8) Post your treasury's URL here to enter your treasury in the challenge!

Have fun!

Wednesday Treasury Challenge

The Wednesday challenge runs for 24 hrs. Anyone can play! The winner will have an item featured on The Undiscovered blog next week! Check back on Friday to vote for your favorite :)

In celebration of my friend visiting from Texas, this week's theme is
"The Lone Star"

Be creative with the theme, it can mean ANYTHING to you!

Here's the rules for contest entry:
1) One item per shop
2) Spread the love...please don't include an item from your own shop
3) Include at least 8 undiscovered shops (20 sales or less)
4) Include at least 6 members of of Team Undiscovered (we use the tag teamundiscovered). Team members can count as undiscovered shops if they have 20 sales or less.
-The rest of the items are up to you today!
5) Include the tags: teamundiscovered, undiscovered
6) Include 'Team Undiscovered Challenge' somewhere in your treasury title
7) Write in your treasury description that you're participating in the Wednesday Team Undiscovered Treasury Challenge & include a link to our blog:
http://theundiscoveredofetsy.blogspot.com/
8) Post your URL here to enter your treasury in the challenge!

The First Wednesday Treasury Challenge

The Wednesday challenge runs for 24 hrs. Anyone can play! The winner will have an item featured on The Undiscovered blog next week! Check back on Friday to vote for your favorite :)
Because our team just started I'm thinking towards the future...so this week's theme is:
"what things may come"

Be creative with the theme, it can mean ANYTHING to you!

Here's the rules for contest entry:
1) One item per shop
2) Spread the love...please don't include an item from your own shop
3) Include at least 8 undiscovered shops (20 sales or less)
4) Include at least 4 members of of Team Undiscovered (we use the tag teamundiscovered). Team members can count as undiscovered shops if they have 20 sales or less.
-The rest of the items are up to you today!
5) Include the tags: teamundiscovered, undiscovered
6) Include 'Team Undiscovered Challenge' somewhere in your treasury title
7) Write in your treasury description that you're participating in the Wednesday Team Undiscovered Treasury Challenge & include a link to our blog:
http://theundiscoveredofetsy.blogspot.com/
8) Post your URL here to enter your treasury in the challenge!