Artist's Loft Team Product Catalog & Gift Guide 2012

Being an Etsy seller, I belong to a team or two. What is the advantage of joining a team? Well, let me just say you NEED to join some teams. They provide support when you're feeling burnt out, chuckles when you've had a bad day, and great tips for improving your products and shops. Promotion is a great benefit also!

One of the teams I belong to is the Artist's Loft team. One of the leaders, Sophie, published this great Holiday Gift Guide. It's really gorgeous -- come take a peek!

Supporting Small Business and Handmade this Season

These last few years, we have sure seen the importance of shopping local, shopping American, and shopping handmade. When I got married in 2010, I moved from upscale Orange County, CA to a city/county with almost the highest unemployment rate in the country, San Bernardino, CA. I know there are many cities that seem somewhat "normal" despite the economy, but many others are still suffering from depression with bankruptcy looming and no end in sight. Supporting your local businesses and handmade on Etsy and other sites this holiday season is a great way to help many talented craftspeople, some of whom still have a full-time job, survive these tough times. Plus handmade is a much better gift than the cookie-cutter item off the shelf of Walmart! I try to buy all my gifts handmade nowadays!

One of these talented people is featured on Etsy as Divine Lulu Creations. I asked Lulu a few questions about what it's like opening your own internet shop.

Lulu, some people open their little shop and then get discouraged quickly because sales are not what they thought they would be. What would be your #1 advice for a new Etsy shop?

Don't take it personal! I know that is SO hard to do, especially when you're pouring hours into your work sometimes, and you feel like your work shows you as a person or it means something to you. It gives you that "I have boulders in my stomach" feeling when you don't get any views on your work that you love so much and try so hard with, or even worse you get a lot of views and no purchases. It makes you think "Why don't people like my things? Why isn't it good enough?" The truth is there's A LOT of products in the world. Not only are you competing with other Etsy shops but you're competing with easy fixes for things like Target or Walmart. Try not to get discouraged. I keep a "field of dreams" mentality. If you make it, somewhere there's going to be someone who needs it or wants it. Make what you love to make, and hopefully one day you'll make money doing it! 

$13 Any Color!

$13 Fingerless Gloves

$13 Purple Skulls

Lulu's work is top-notch and masterful. She loves custom orders, so if you don't see what you're looking for, just send her a note!

Jill of Different Trades - Miss Lulu Divine

Glasses case $6 

Continuing with the promotion of a great handmade shop, Divine Lulu Creations, I asked her: 

Lulu, what is the craft/skill you want to tackle next?

This is a toughy, because I actually have several different project "supplies" already. haha! I'm a mess, literally! I love diving into new things and trying on new hats. My husband says that I'm a Jill of different trades at heart. I just love to create and I see things out in the world and I think "huh, I could make that!" and then I have to try. Often some of my attempts are just awful, or I don't really enjoy them and feel inspired. So far the two that seem to have "stuck" is Sewing and Crocheting.... next year I plan on trying Bottle Cap Necklaces, Needle Felting, and a little bit of painting (rocks, that is!). I hope that one day my shop is as diverse as my tastes and hobbies, and that it truly is a place to show my creative side. It's on the way!

Girls, isn't this just normal with us? We want to try something new, think we can do it, buy all the supplies, and with our very busy schedules just never get a "round tuit"? Lulu has branched out nicely -- she offers aprons, fingerless gloves, glasses cases, and Star Wars necklaces in her shop!

Darth Vader Hemp Necklace $8

Jabba the Hut Hemp Necklace $8

Emerald Cove Skinny Super long infinity crochet scarf $15

Custom Creations from Lulu

Hooray, the Holidays are coming! What a great time to support the USA and the many talented artists out there in Etsyland and elsewhere. I belong to a handful of supportive teams, and Artist's Loft  is a group that is very helpful on promoting and brainstorming and just about whatever you need! If you'd like to see what we are all about, here is our Facebook link: Artist's Loft FB Page  and here is our Etsy Team link: Artist's Loft Team on Etsy.

The shop I have chosen to devote 7 days of blogging to is the fabulous Divine Lulu Creations. Lulu (that's what we call her but her real name is Elizabeth) will custom sew or crochet many different items for you. She loves special orders, just convo her! Kiddies want special colors for their crocheted gloves? No problem! My favorite item is her "full coverage" aprons...they are wider on the top and have straps to put your arms through instead of ties, so no more hair tangling! I know when I'm in the kitchen I use my apron for my hands...but....if anything wants to spatter, of course it's on my chest! An apron is also a very thoughtful hostess gift.

Full coverage apron $15

Unique and comfy strap system

I wanted to know some more about Elizabeth and how her shop came to be.

 Lulu, what is the inspiration for your shop name?

My real name is actually Elizabeth, but when I was a little girl my Dad used to call me Lizzie Lu. My dad is SO not big on pet names or cutesy "show your feelings" stuff, so it was a big deal to me. It stuck! In school people started calling me Lizzie Lu and then, Lulu. When I met my high school sweetheart (now my husband) he suffered through many girly movies with me, one of which is still my favorite "Pride and Prejudice". There's a part where Mr Darcy asks what he should call Lizzy and she replies "Goddess Divine". So, Lulu Divine was born and then I love to create.... so you get the idea! 

          

Pima Cotton, Brown & Lilac $22

Here are a few more gift ideas from Divine Lulu Creations.

Kelly Green Crochet Fingerless Gloves $18

Mint Green Earwarmer/Glove Set $14

Come back tomorrow for another interview question and more great products from this talented seller!