Mosaic Monday: A Little Silly

Before I get into our Mosaic Monday, I'd like to congratulate Lynette of LuvEweKnits as the winner of our Spring Giveaway! Thank you to everyone who entered, and thanks to the lovely members who volunteered to partake in it! We'll have another giveaway in the Fall.

Anyway, onto Mosaic Monday - it feels like forever since I put one of these together! In honor of April Fools Day (coming up on Thursday) our items are just a little silly and whimsical, for a smile.

1) Cookie Monster Brooch by CuteButGeeky
2) Ahoy There Sailor Suit from zwzzy
3) Winkie Emoticon Decal by Squier
4) Just Dance Greeting Card by 2ndcoming
5) Please Don't Pee Pee On Me by mizkatie
6) Kung Fu Kitty by TexasBeadz
7) Wannabe Punk Rocker Necklace by glassali
8) Bunny Fingerless Gloves by funkisockmunki
9) Bottoms Up Blank Birthday Card by SimplyInvitingCards

Enjoy :-)

Spring Giveaway 2010: Post Entries HERE!

Finally! The time has come to officially open entries for our spring 2010 team giveaway! In case you didn't read the mini-reviews or missed a few, here is a quick rundown of ALL the goodies that will be given away to 1 lucky winner in TWO WEEKS! 

1) A custom stamp (OR scarf) of your choice from lemonadesun.
2) A zipper animal pouch AND 2 buttons from funkisockmunki.
3) A necklace from MichMade.
4) An 8x10 print of your choice from jellybeans.
5) A custom word album of up to 8 letters from SimplyInvitingCards.
6) An Isadora headband from bethanylorelle.
7) A crocheted gray elephant from seventytwostitches.
6) A water bottle from PrettynPreppy.

Nearly $200 in free, fabulous and handmade goodies! 

HOW TO ENTER:
-- Leave a comment on this blog entry.
-- Include your NAME and E-MAIL in the comment, no e-mail means your name will not be added to the mix.
-- ONE entry only.
-- Anyone may enter, team member or not. Feel free to invite others to enter.

WHEN YOU CAN ENTER:
GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED! THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED :-)

Spring Giveaway Feature Artist: SimplyInvitingCards

It's getting closer! Only a week from today and we will be opening our huge giveaway for entries, nearly $200 in free stuff - amazing.

Today we're focusing on the super talented Jen of SimplyInvitingCards.

What is your craft and how long have you been on Etsy?
Greeting cards, albums, journals, handmade paper, gift boxes. Basically all kinds of paper stuff. I've been on Etsy since May 2009.

Where are you located and how do you enjoy your free time?
Manhattan, Kansas. I like to travel, shop, spend time with the hubby and fur baby, go to movies and concerts, cook, bake and I am a huge magazine reader.

What will she be giving away?

A TOTALLY personalized word album, up to 8 letters, anything you want it to say!

Spring Giveaway Feature Artist: lemonadesun

Hello and happy March, rats! Today we are having a mini-feature on Melody of lemonadesun!

 

 

What is your craft and how long?

Being a crafter from birth, I often have my fingers in a bit of every kind of craft, but for the shop I concentrate mainly on designing and creating hand carved stamps. You'll also find jewelry, crocheted items and my new line of longjohns cards listed as well. After many years of prodding and convincing by friends and family members, I decided to take that giant step of faith and become a budding business woman by starting a shop on Etsy in November of 2008.

Where are you located and how do you spend your free time?

Originally from the little ski town of Whitefish, Montana at the base of Big Mountain, I now reside in the small farming community of Harrisburg, Oregon (just north of Eugene) with my wonderful husband and fabulous four kiddos. I love entertaining and my husband and I spend most of our time creating excuses to host huge parties, planning camping trips, organizing cross country adventures, inviting friends over for barbeques, and even arranging the occasional romantic get-away for ourselves. We guard family time like a treasure (because it is one) and work hard to make fun memories with our kids.

What will she be giving away?

A custom stamp for your shop

OR

A snuggly scarf - your choice!

News and Things To Expect

Happy February, Rats! Instead of Mosaic Monday, I'm going to give every a run down of upcoming events, and team links that you may have missed.

In case you missed our last virtual lab meeting, we discussed things we would like to do/see more of in 2010. As some of you know, we already have a team forum thread on etsy, feel free to post whatever you'd like, whenever you'd like!

Are you on Twitter? Follow us, and even better, want other rats to see your tweets? Include #sqk in them, it's our team hash tag on there!

How about Flickr? It's a photo sharing site, and we have our own group on there. Just request to join, and you'll be approved, usually same day! Once your there, you can upload your photos to the team for other members to see.

The team also has a Facebook Fan Page, post any thing you'd like - photos for critiques, exciting news, questions or ideas.

And lastly, I started a google group specifically for the rats, where you can, more privately, discuss things that you may not want in the Etsy forums.

Our NEXT virtual lab meeting is scheduled. It will be Tuesday, February 16 at 3:30pm EST! This meeting's topic is Tag and Title help/critiques and improving your SEO (search engine optimization). Come by for help or to give help!

Now, as for 2010. We have lots of awesome things in store!

First up, our Spring Giveaway! I have already notified those who will be participating this time around, but thanks to everyone that applied! I'm so thrilled that people were so eager to help out and have a little fun. We have 8 shops that will be giving almost $200 worth of free swag! How awesome is that? In two weeks, we will start revealing who they are, with mini-interviews with the artists, too.

We will also be having another challenge in the summer. Feel free to contact me with any ideas you have for  the challenge, including theme or prize. This won't begin until mid-spring, so back of the mind it ;-)

Also look for more How-Tos and craft tutorials this year. If you would like to make a video or write an article (or both!) on a specific technique that you have down, shoot me a convo or e-mail and pitch your story! I'd LOVE to have other people teach how to do things (even if it's something like properly utilizing twitter, or sewing a button, I'm open). Should it be really involved or super neat, I may even ask for you to hold a Lab meeting!


Speaking of pitching stories, I am also opening the Lab Rat blog to ideas for articles/ghost-writers. If you have an article related to Etsy, creating, promotion, crafting, etc, send a rough draft to our team e-mail and we can discuss.

Finally, remember our trunk show? We will be having another one near Christmastime this year, but I am planning on contacting other team leaders to see if they would be interested in holding a multi-team trunk show, allowing more, fresh eyes and potential customers to see what each other's teams have to offer! I will begin contacting them in the summer and want to make this big, organized and tons of fun!

 A big thank you to lushboutique (Jenni) and nightowlcraftworks (Sally) for being amazing co-leaders! Without them, this team would never be as on top of things (or successful!) as it is right now. You ladies are amazing :-)

 

Mosaic Monday: Blueberry Cobbler

Yummy food, yummier items!

1) Porcelain Blue and White Earrings by duckfoot
2) Season's Greetings Blank Card by SimplyInvitingCards
3) Brown and Gold Bracelet by PixieDustFineries
4) Double Layer Toffee Baby Ring Sling by BabyEtte
5) Royal Blue Kid's Cape by peapodray
6) Outer Space Switch Plate by rathina
7) Amber and Sterling Silver Earrings by MariaLuna
8) Pinup Dahlia Hair Clip by sweetsnstuff


Tasty :)

Mosaic Monday: Mele Kalikimaka

Aloha! This song really reminds me of my mom's house at Christmas. I wish it was because she lived in Hawaii, but she really just likes Jimmy Buffet. Plus it's just a little change of pace in the land of red and green.

1) Celtic Moon Polymer Bracelet by celticmoonstudios
2) Sapphire the Sea Dragon by PlushWithAttitude
3) Turquoise Origami Star Ornament by SleipnirDesgins
4) Ornamental Sun Long Sleeve Shirt by rctees
5) Pugs Kissing Under The Mistletoe Stocking by cowboybunny
6) Blue Vintage Recycled Sketchbook by somavenus
7) Altered Domino Necklace by AmeRayn
8) Mod Grass Field Note Card by BirdcageCards

Try not to be too jealous of those Hawaiians during this chilly winter ;-)

And The Winner Is...

NIGHTOWLCRAFTWORKS!

Congratulations! Thanks to everyone who entered and voted! We will be having another challenge in the Summer, and we're planning a Giveaway for the spring! Keep your eyes peeled :)

Mosaic Monday: Silver and Gold

It's the last day of November! Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving and is revved up for the Holidays (I know I am)! I'm going to have some fun with themes this month, and each week will be inspired by a song. I'll kick things off with my Grandfather's favorite, Silver and Gold.

1) Let Go by Paperbullet
2) Grey and Mustard Ponytail Holders by zomoandbara
3) Gold and Peal Bird's Nest Ring by laurabailliedesigns
4) Blue Bird of Happiness by yarnabees
5) Dolce Silver Glitter Shoes from AgelessThings
6) The Casino Necklace by lushboutique
7) Grey Circles Notecard by EvenAndy
8) Gold Fusion Christmas Bow by Advancewing

And The Nominees Are...

Thanks so much to everyone who entered our Team Challenge: Glistening Snow and Mistletoe. Each entry was gorgeous and I was so happy to see that a good number of them sold!

Since we didn't get quite as many entries as we were hoping for, we are doing a top 4 (instead of 5), and here they are!

Merry Christmas Decorated 8x10 Framed Matte Board by HeatherJaneDesign 

Small Blank Snowflake Journal by nightowlcraftworks 

 

Snowflakes Oil Lamp Bottle by ocasiocasa 

Tourmalinated Quartz Earrings by spookychandelier 

And there you have it! Our top 4 (and I promise I did not score my earrings - that was all the other 2 judges!). There is a poll on the top of the sidebar that will be open for the next 10 days (it will close Dec. 5th at 12pm EST). ALL are welcome to vote on it! And remember, the winner will receive a 4-day ad on craftcult, paid for by the judges of this.

Thanks again for entering, and Happy Thanksgiving, Americans!

Mosaic Monday: It's All Happening At The Zoo

Inspired by a Simon & Garfunkel song.

1) Peacock feather earrings by MichMade
2) Howling Wolf Necklace by daniellemaveal
3) Zebra Print Double Switch Plate by rathina
4) Huge Woodland Kawaii Bow by blueberryshoes
5) Ostrich with Carousel Pole Mini from DzyMsLizzy
6) Dragonfly Stamp by lemonadesun
7) Giraffe Print Note-cards by EvenAndy
8) Lion Wall Hanging by JammJar

Enjoy the week, everyone!

Mosaic Monday: Eat Your Fruits and Veggies

Every year after Halloween (yes, even as a kid!) I always felt kind of gross after Halloween, for eating all that candy. So I go on a health kick for a week and love all things fruits and vegetables, hence my inspiration for today's Mosaic Monday!

1). Bright Cherry Red 60s Day Dress from zwzzy
2). Citrus Wishing Buds Note Card by BirdcageCards
3). Apple Rattles Set of 3 by seventytwostitches
4). Funky Orange Resin Cude Earrings by CreationsByEileen
5). Green Is Good Button Necklace by SmallbagBigheart
6). PinkBerry Satin Hairpin by KimArt

And I'll leave you with a picture of my (itsa) Halloween costume!

the utz girl (which only a few East Coasters will get), a garden gnome (me! I looked more like a hobo) and Mrs. Peanut. Oh, and my boyfriend who was Bob Ross.

Mosaic Monday: All Hallowes Eve

Only a few days until Halloween - hope everyone is ready for a night of tricks and treats! Here are some wonderful Halloween items from some rat's shops.

1). Origami Sea Urchin by SleipnirDesigns
2). Black, Grey and Plum Stitch Markers by Cantrix
3). My Little Pumpkin by Paperbullet
4). Creamsicle Heels from verabelle
5). The Rabbit Illustration by imfromthewoods
6). Black Leatherette Hemp Bracelet by Katiesbasement
7). Witch Hats Set of 3 by seventytwostitches
8). Sun Kissed Conch by 1022SeaShellAveo

Happy Halloween, Rats! Feel free to post a Halloween item from your shop in the comments :-D

Mosaic Monday: Here Comes The Sun

It has been raining for about a week+ straight, even snowing in some places on the East Coast. Today I woke up to sunlight and had to make this week's Mosaic Monday theme about blue skies and yellow sunshine!

1). Bright Yellow and Curvy Wall Hanging by sewhome
2). Heather's HugEms by HeatherJaneDesign
3). Golden Burst Rectangle Pendant by Allysattic
4). Cart Ride by mizkatie
5). Bamboo Dog Jacket by TerrierTrousers
6). Baby Boy Smallest Things Card by SimplyInvitingCards
7). Small Canisters by ocasiocasa
8). Pinup Hair Clip by sweetsnstuff


Enjoy the week everyone! Don't forget about our meeting Wednesday night at 9pm in the labs!