As well as being a part of the FAM team on Etsy I am also a member of the CafeMomEtsyMom Team.  The Cafemom Team has many many wonderful members who are super talented.  Today I am featuring Cozy Cabin.  She makes adorable clothing.  Come and check her out.

1. What is your business name?
Etsy Shop: Cozy Cabin Creations

2. What is your business about?
Handmade items I make right here in my cozy lil cabin…..where I LOVE to be. I love to create simple, cute and affordable items such as, pillowcase dresses, aprons, (child and adult), table runners, knit hats, booties, mitties and scarves.

3. How did you start selling on etsy?
I had been eyeing Etsy and then finally one day thought I would just give it a try.

4. Where do your inspirations come from?
My daughter, who just turned 5 inspires me to create pillowcase dresses. She looks so adorable when she wears one for the Holidays and gets so many compliments. I also love to cook and bake and she loves to help….so that’s where my passion for making matching mommy and me aprons comes from.

5. Is your family supportive of your etsy business?
They sure are…however…weekends are for family!! lol No sewing!

6. What was the strangest experience you’ve ever had when being inspired with any of your creations?
Well…I think the strangest…or maybe just the silliest thing was when I taught myself how to mkae pillowcase dresses from using my apron pattern. I was so excited that I actually made a dress that I busted out tons of these adorable dresses…well low and behold…many many many dresses later…I discovered the armholes were just way too big (since I used an apron pattern….duh!) I now have sold many of those dresses at a discount and still have some more listed on clearance in my shop. They are still super cute and wearable….and I have now perfected my armholes LOL…

7. What is the most rewarding aspect of the etsy community for you and your business?
For me, after joining Etsy, I found the CafemomEtsyMoms group on Cafemom….what a wonderful group of momma’s who share the same interest as I do…making handmade creations and then selling them on Etsy. They are such a wonderful support group. They inspire me…help me…guide me when needed etc. It is so nice to meet others who share the same passion for handmade crafts and their love of Etsy.

8. Anything else you would like to share?
Cozy Cabin Creations Blog: http://mycozycabincreations.blogspot.com/
Cozy Cabin Myspace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=330417138
CafemomEtsyMoms: http://www.cafemom.com/group/6632

Here is my list of things I’d LIKE to get done today.  I’m not sure how much of it will get done.  I’m in a bit of pain today.  My foot still hurts from two weeks ago.  My right shoulder is killing me when I raise it just so high.  I bit my tongue yesterday and its still throbbing a little.  I feel like I’m falling apart.  I’ll be fine.  No doubt about that!  I’m just feelin it all right this moment.  lol

UPDATE:  Surprisingly I’ve been very active today.  My shoulder is easing up a bit.  YAY  Plus Baby Girl Elise wants to be a fairy for halloween.  I have a ton of white tulle so I figured if I can(and I did thanks to my fellow etsy street team FAM members) find an easy peasy tutorial.  Check it out  http://littlewindowshoppe.com/create-a-princess-tutu

..:done:.. Upload RenFest Photos to my Flickr.

..::.. Welcome new Etsy Street Team Members and create a list

..:done:.. Clean Kitty Boxes

..::..Wash the dogs blankets

..::.. clean out the right side of the garage. * won’t get done till the man makes a phone call.

..:done:.. Clean up Kitchen

1. What is your business name?
Pumpkin Pea http://PumpkinPea.etsy.com

2. What is your business about?
In my shop you will find hairbows, headbands and hairclips made especially for a princess. I named my shop Pumpkin Pea - this is what we call our daughter Natalie (she is turning 5 this November), who is actually my inspiration behind all of my creations

3. How did you start selling on etsy?
I learned about etsy from my former boss Jill who after her retirement as Assistant Director of Nursing started concentrating on her crafts and started selling on etsy. During that time I had been creating hairclips for my daughter. She actually persuaded me to check out etsy. I trialed selling my hairclips at work and it was received very well so I decided this is something I would like to pursue

4. Where do your inspirations come from?
My inspiration mostly comes from my daughter Natalie. Being an only girl, (I have 2 other boys Nicky 9 and Nathan 7). I love buying clothes for her and I would usually create something to match an outfit that I had bought. I also get my inspirations and ideas from stores (I love Gymboree in particular), magazines and the constant flow of ideas through my head.

5. Is your family supportive of your etsy business?
In the beginning my husband wasn’t very supportive of it. When I first started I spent hours and hours online, researching and educating myself on all the business aspects and how to basically run it. He advised me to make sure that my pricing is reflective of the hours I spent making the item. I make things because I love to and I love to share them with others. After a long day at work (I am a full time nurse at a hospital), I always look forward to creating, which I do mostly at night. I consider it my de-stresser. I get excited when I get a sale. My husband now shares that excitement with me (my kids get excited too). I would like to also make mention that my mother is my biggest supporter. She lives with us and she helps me with households work and most of all taking care of my children when me and my husband are away at work

6. What was the strangest experience you’ve ever had when being inspired with a new design?
When an idea pops in my head, I have to immediately create it and spend all night long perfecting the idea. (I don’t really think that I have any strange experiences)

7. What is the most rewarding aspect of the etsy community for you and your business?
The etsy community taught me a lot of things. I learned so much from the forums and made friends along the way. Particularly, FAM helped me along the way. It is such a nice feeling to know that I am part of a smaller family on ETSY. Thanks to everyone especially for this opportunity to be featured,

8. Anything else you would like to share?
I will be having my first craft show this October. I’ve been busy preparing for it. My business is also successful at work, I have a lot of customers from there (the word is now starting to spread about my business) I wish they could be reflected on my sales but unfortunately, they don’t order online.

Its been a long and different kind of week around the Baker house.  We had internet, then the winds last weekend happened and we were without internet and cable tv for 4.5 days.  Finally got cable back 2 thursdays ago and then last week, on Tuesday the internet decided to go down again.  Didn’t know why.  Had no warning, as if we ever do.  So the man called the company and the first lady couldn’t figure it out so they escalated it to a level 2 issue and that person was able to deduce from their tenchnical brilliance that its a neighborhood wide outage.  Why didn’t the first person know that?  anyways.  We got internet back because he took the router in and traded it.  They weren’t going to be able to get a tech out to our house till sunday.  SUNDAY!!!!!  He called saturday and canceled the tech order.

Yesterday we went to the ren fest.  The man took lots of photos, which are on his computer so I need to find the larger thumb drive and transfer them so I can show you.  Elise and Allisa had a great time.  Elise got some rainbow fairy wings and a little tiara and allisa just got a Tiara.  The queen waved at Elise for a few minutes actually during the parade.   Elise was THRILLED!!!!!!  I threw tomatoes at some dude who was taunting me.  And Allisa and Carroll tried their hand at drowning a wentch.  Allisa missed the target by about 2 inches but carroll totally drowned the wentch.  Teach her to mouth off my man!  lol  We all had a great time.

Today I am featuring a great friend from FAME.  We have built a wonderful friendship through etsy and now I want to share her shops with you.

1. What is your business name?

I have 2 shops, pandys and GriffinGear

2. What is your business about?

My businesses are all about sewing and expressing my creativity

3. How did you start selling on etsy?

I had been doing some craft fairs, a friend told me about etsy and I’ve been selling here ever since.

4. Where do your inspirations come from?

My inspirations come from everyone, a suggestion from a friend, something I see out and about….I also have lots of crayon sketches on the beer advertisements from restaurants….we will all be having dinner, I get an idea, grab a crayon from the kids and draw it out (beer advertisements work much better than napkins)

5. Is your family supportive of your etsy business?

My husband is supportive of everything I do..including etsy.

6. What was the strangest experience you’ve ever had when being inspired with a new design?

I got busted at the grocery store, trying to discreetly check out the handle design of another woman’s handbag. She gave me the dirtiest look, I said, oh, just checking out your grommets and walked away. She was not impressed.

7. What is the most rewarding aspect of the etsy community for you and your business?

I have met some pretty incredible, very supportive people here. Even though I’ve never met them, I can honestly say they are very dear friends. As far as my business goes, I’ve been able to let my creative side flourish. I have a BS in Animal Science and an MBA…not exactly the best choices for creativity. I’m not making money hand over fist, but I’m supporting my fabric habit and trying new things, so I find it very rewarding.

8. Anything else you would like to share?

http://GriffinGear.etsy.com
http://pandys.etsy.com
my blog  http://pandysoflakesunapee.blogspot.com

Yes folks.  We were without cable.internet for 4.5 days.  we could only get annalog channels in our bedroom.  So we were very good customers to block buster.  Lots of movies.  lol

We are back though.  thank goodness.

I’ve just joined FaceBook.  WOOHOOOO

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=606891255

LJ Photo Design is a wonderfully artistic etsy shop.  She takes such stunning photos and is a wonderful person.  I asked her to answer a few questions about her business and her life and here is what she had to say.

1. What is your business name?

LJ Design Photo. The LJ is for Lorissa June, I like to use my middle name because it was my grandmothers and she was very important to me.

2. What is your business about?

I’m a Fine Art Photographer. My subjects include Desert Landscapes, Route 66, Ghost Towns, Motherhood, flowers and nature

3. How did you start selling on etsy?

A friend told me about the site. She requested a few pieces for a show in FL to raise money for the La Leche League and after we were talking about venues for art. After checking it out I feel in love. I’ve always kept myself busy doing crafts and making art, but I decided to concentrate on my Fine Art photography for my shop.

4. Where do your inspirations come from?

Sometimes it is just something I see.
Part of my ghost town series has to do with the way man leaves so much behind when they are done, and the way nature takes it over for it own. Some things like old wood, some metals, and glass can look really beautiful as they degrade, but it takes so long. I don’t think man always realizes the impact they have on the landscape, even with all the environmental stuff in the news lately.
My nature and flower photos are just because they are beautiful and I try to show the personality of each flower.
Motherhood started with my own strong feelings after my daughter was born. It is based on the emotions that mothers go though and I’m always trying to add to the series with real mothers and their children.
Route 66 is because of my love of travel, road trips, and history. It is Americana that is slowly fading and I try to capture it every chance I get.

5. Is your family supportive of your etsy business?

Yes, very much so. I know they would love to see my efforts pay off, but photography on Etsy is very competitive, just like it is everywhere.

6. What was the strangest experience you’ve ever had when taking a photo?

Wow this is a difficult question. A few things come to mind, but the most recent was when I went out with a friend who was 7 months pregnant to get photos of her in the middle of a dry lake bed. We decided to stop at some small ruins by the side of the dirt road and get some shots first and when we went to get back in the car we realized it was locked with everything in it but my camera and us. Not cell phone, no keys, no jackets for when the sun went down, miles down a dirt road and kind of in the middle of now where. On top of that we discovered that someone had gotten out and used the side of the road as a toilet right where we had pulled over and were now stuck. Yuck. (Did I want to tell this story?) Right as we decided which window we are going to break on her car we see another car driving down the road. We waved down a very nice man who let us use his phone and stayed with us until my husband arrived (he was closer then hers and could get a sitter faster.) We did get some shot in the location we were stuck in, but never made it out to the dry lakebed.

7. What is the most rewarding aspect of the etsy community for you and your business?

My favorite thing is my street teams and the interaction with so many wonderful moms in the FAM team. I look forward to chatting a bit each day with an online friend. I also get a lot of inspiration from the different artist and crafts people on the site.

8. Anything else you would like to share?

I’d like to mention that I have a blog at http://ljdesignphoto.blogspot.com and a website of more photos at http://www.ljdesignphoto.com. You can also find my work at Talent Database http://www.talentdatabase.com/channels/16-Photography/profiles/1407201-ljdesignphoto and Flicker http://flickr.com/photos/ljdesignphoto/. And I love comments, so if you stop by let me know. Thanks.

Oh how I wish I had a self maintaining garden.  We can’t afford to pay some one to take care of it for us.  Well I shouldn’t say can’t afford.  I should say, can’t morally balance it.  lol  I’m perfectly capable of it.  I just don’t like to do it.  It never stays the way I would like for it to stay.  I know I know, things have to happen in their own course, like nature!!!  lol

I haven’t mowed the lawn in about a month.  Now before you start thinking bad thoughts of me, the grass is not tall.  Maybe an inch.  Maybe.  So I coudn’t imagine using the gas in the lawn mower just for a measly trim that wasn’t going to make a bit of difference.

However, the weeds….  they have grown.  boy oh boy have they grown.  So tomorrow I will be mowing and weed wacking.  I’ll be pulling a few weeds as well.  I also have some mulch to lay around a few of the plant beds.  Yes plant beds.  See, I can’t grow a flower to save my life.  They always die.  No matter what I did.  I could have the lady at the plant nursury write down specific instructions with regard to our soil and the amount of light and direction the house sits and I can follow it to the T, and still . . . .  death came to the flowers.  so I’ve given up on flowers.  Plants, now I can grow plants.  Give me a hosta any day of the week and that darn thing will thrive!!!!!

We hire a friend to mow the back yard.  There is no way I could mow the hill myself without serious injury to myself.  He’s happy to do it for what we pay him and we only have him come out every other month.

I’m also still battling the thisle.  The pokey spikey live to the end of the world thisle.  Why did those animals have to carry those seeds into my yard!!!!

Today my foot is killing me.  I must have pulled a muscle while I was walking Allisa to school this morning.  Over did it.  BUT, tomorrow, whether or not i’m in pain, I will be mowing the yard.  I have ice in the freezer, I can use it.

..::.. Laundry

..::.. Write thank you notes and print invoices

..::.. cut fabric for 4 bags

..::.. get dressed and head to Joanne Fabrics to swap the interfacing  (the man was trying to do a good thing but they gave him the wrong bolt of interfacing)

..::.. get mail cause my new labels should be here any day now

I took a few silly quiz things.

You Belong in 1957

You’re fun loving, romantic, and more than a little innocent. See you at the drive in!

What Your Name Says About You

Your name says that you are mostly: Ambitious but stubborn Your name also says you are: Unconventional but unstable Shrewd but overbearing Fiery but unbalanced

You Are a Cappuccino

You’re fun, outgoing, and you love to try anything new. However, you tend to have strong opinions on what you like. You are a total girly girly at heart - and prefer your coffee with good conversation. You’re the type that seems complex to outsiders, but in reality, you are easy to please

I just want to thank you all who voted in my avatar poll.  The final selection was the black white and red button avatar for September.

Again, thanks!

Choosing an avatar is usually a fun thing. I just couldn’t decide this time. So I’m asking for your help. You should see a poll below. If not then please look on my side bar. Thank you.

Allisa is entering the 6th grade.  The rules have changed.  No more community property supplies.  WOOHOOO.  She can finally use her own stuff.

I made her a pencil zipper pouch out of fabric that Carroll saw and had to get so I could make her something with it.

She will be able to either carry it as is or she can hook it onto her book bag.