Featured SME Member ~ Jools Magools

Give us the 411 about yourself.

What's the story behind the name of your business?
When I was younger, my best friend's dad called me "Jools Magools." It kind of stuck, and when I was searching for a fun name for my art business, it seemed like a perfect option!

How did you get involved in your craft?
I decided to take a class at Craft Alliance when I needed some new artistic inspiration outside of work. From there, I continued to make things for friends, and it soon bloomed into a business.

What inspires you?
I love really abstract things and vibrant colors. My favorite artist is Kandinsky, and I also love Piet Mondrian. Anything geometric and bold with bright colors really catches my eye.

Beside your craft, what other activities do you enjoy?
I like to hang out with my boyfriend and our puppy, Pogo, curl up with a good book, travel to unique places, or watch my favorite TV shows.

Can you give any advice about selling on Etsy?
Professional marketing and photography are key. You have to make your product look nice, and presentation is half the battle.

Favorite movie/book/music?
Show: Dexter and Glee
Book: Count of Monte Cristo
Movie: Love, Actually

In ten years you'll be...
A mom who sells her glass items, stationery, and graphic design services on the side. :)

Don't Forget Ladies' Night

Calling all last minute shoppers! December 16th is the Ladies Night at The Melting Pot of Town & Country, located at 294 Lamp & Lantern Village. Join us for a delectable four-course fondue feast all while shopping handmade crafts!

The fun begins at 5 p.m. and the cost is only $27 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling (636) 207-6358.

The following SME members will be participating:

Dec 16: Down Zipper, Aleece's Attic, Crafty Wino, and Alexandra’s Jewelry

The Melting Pot
294 Lamp and Lantern Village
Town & Country, MO 63017

Featured SME Member ~ Avaeli Couture

Give us the 411 about yourself.
I am a stay at home mom to 3 1/2 year old twins and have been married to a wonderful man for 14 years. I have been my own boss in the direct sales business for over 10 years and it is where I am most comfortable. It has allowed me to stay at home with my children while at the same time having a fulfilling career...... the best of BOTH worlds!! (also the hardest job in the world too!)

What's the story behind the name of your business?
I have boy/girl twins and their names are Eli and Ava. I decided to put the two names together to form "Avaeli" (pronounced UH-VAY-LEE) and added Couture. Couture means it was made for you, the best of the best :-)

How did you get involved in your craft?
I have a love for jewelry and a love for home shows, so I thought it would be fun to combine the two and start my own business! The hand-stamped collection of my business was born approximately one year ago after I saw a friend wearing a similar necklace. Unfortunately, her necklace was very pricey and I really did not want to spend that kind of money. BUT, I soon became obsessed over it and started doing research online. I decided to buy some supplies to start making the hand stamped jewelry myself. I soon became engrossed! I found myself making new pieces everyday and wearing them the moment I created them! Now, I have over 75 pieces in my collection, all designed and made by me at a price everyone can afford! I am selling my pieces on Etsy and via home shows and craft fairs. The response has been incredible and I am enjoying it so much! I absolutely love creating pieces for my customers that I know they will cherish forever :-)

What inspires you?
My family! When I am creating my jewelry pieces I always do it with my kids and husband in mind. I create things that I can wear with their names on it. I am also inspired by all of the other awesome artists on Etsy and on the Show Me team!

Beside your craft, what other activities do you enjoy?
I love to eat, see movies, shop, spend time with friends/family and sleep! I also love live theater and have performed in many shows myself, there is nothing on this earth that makes me as happy as to be on stage. Another thing that makes me feel most happy is the ocean. I feel drawn to it, peaceful and content around it and there is no place else I would rather be! (except for on stage, wait, I already said that!) I also love wine and everything about it. Whether I am learning about it or drinking it :-)

Can you give any advice about selling on Etsy?
Spend lots of time there! Research the site and learn as much as you can. Also, take good photographs of your listings. Your photos create the feel of your shop and customers are more apt to purchase your item if it looks great!

Favorite movie/book/music?
I love so many movies and all types of music! I do however love movies based on true stories and non-fiction auto biographical books are the only books that I read. Music? Everything and anything EXCEPT for country and death metal! LOL

In ten years you'll be...
Dealing with TWO 13 year olds!!!! OH MY GOSH, help!!! hahaha

Artropy This Weekend!

art-tro-py [ahrt-truh-pee] - noun - 1. A unique art & craft show experience 2. A measure of the randomness of the production, according to handmade principles, of what is beautiful, appealling, or of more than ordinary significance.

Looking for a unique gift? ShowMe Etsy presents Artropy on December 5th, 2009 in the cozy and intimate setting of Off Broadway, near the Lemp Mansion.

Come see Off Broadway transformed into a unique shopping locale! Join local St. Louis artists with diverse talents in areas including: jewelry design, textile arts, photography, mixed-media, glass work, eco-fashion and illustration. Artropy will run from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

And while you are in the area, visit Firecracker Press at 2838 Cherokee Street , St. Louis MO, which is just around the corner from Off Broadway. They are having their annual Print Holiday Sale from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. This indoor print-themed arts & craft sale will take place all along the street, with businesses hosting artists from all over the St. Louis area. For more info call (314) 776-7271.

Also, just 10 minutes away is Big Ass Indie at Mad Art Gallery. It runs December 4 from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m., December 5 from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. and December 6 : 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. For more info check out their website HERE.

Buy Local. Buy Handmade.

The Foundrie at Chesterfield

Want to find a special unique gift for a loved one this holiday season? Head over to the Foundrie, a month-long holiday marketplace that just opened Nov. 27th at Chesterfield Mall. The Foundrie features a number of local artists, crafters and independent designers not only from the St. Louis area, but from around the country. It is on Level 1, near the carousel and runs from November through December 31st.

From the 32 artists participating, you can find SME members Haley's Handmades, Just Liv, Sparrow Studios, Villa Design among the group of amazing crafters and artists.

Ladies Night at The Melting Pot!

ShowMe Etsy is partnering with The Melting Pot of Town & Country, located at 294 Lamp & Lantern Village, for a unique and special event! We invite you to join us on December 2nd & 16th for an upcoming Ladies’ Nights Out. Each night, with seatings beginning at 5 p.m., will feature drink specials and a door prize. Enjoy a delectable four-course fondue feast which includes a savory cheese fondue, a fresh salad, a succulent combination entrée, and a decadent chocolate fondue dessert, all while shopping handmade crafts!

The cost is only $27 per person and required reservations can be made by calling (636) 207-6358.

The following SME members will be participating:

Dec 2: Sew Good and Trendy, KJ’s Kwilting, Sparrow Studios, Bella Luna Crafts

The Melting Pot
294 Lamp and Lantern Village
Town & Country, MO 63017

Rock n' Roll Craft Show

Rockin' Thanksgiving weekend is the 6th annual Rock n' Roll Craft Show at Third Degree Glass Factory. It's hard to believe how much the show has grown over the past few years to turn into a major shopping event. There will be a few SME will be members present so I encourage everyone to come out and support handmade!

Edwardsville HS Craft Fair

This weekend some SME members will be participating at the Edward HS Craft Show. Why not get some of your holiday shopping done early?

Edwardsville High School
6161 Center Grove Rd,
Edwardsville, IL‎ 62025

Show hours: Saturday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Art & Craft Shows This Weekend!

A few SME members will be spread around the St. Louis metro area this weekend!

St. Louis Artist Boutique
Saturday & Sunday, November 7 & 8, 2009
Kirkwood Community Center
111 S. Geyer Rd
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days

Eureka High School Holiday Craft Fair
Saturday, November 7, 2009
829 Highway 109, Eureka, MO 63025
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Featured SME Member ~ The Craft Wino

Give us the 411 about yourself.
My name is Connie, and I am a wino! :) I'm orignially from Omaha, NE, and have lived and visited several of the lower 48 states due to my job and my mother's when I was younger. I've been married now for 12 years to a wonderful husband that is my best friend, as well as the most understanding man one of my nature could have! Our kids currently are 3 dogs (Windi City, Roxy, and Duncan). Eventually we would love to have a little two legged one of our own.

My backround in being creative comes from both sides of the family, both in crafting and cooking! After dabbling in several craft mediums, I found a niche that played on my love of wine. From there it took off and The Crafty Wino was born~

What's the story behind the name of your business?
After being told about Etsy and researching it a bit, I decided to sign up. I wrote down a list of names that myself and a few coworkers talked about at lunch. One seemed to just click with what I was about, as well as made us smile.

How did you get involved in your craft?
I first starting making wine charms, as I was bored with the ones that were for sale and thought it would be fun to make them for my friends. I then saved up some corks and wanted to make a corkboard for myself, and it took off from there.

What inspires you?
My mother, who always has a crochet hook in hand making something for someone or their baby.

Beside your craft, what other activities do you enjoy?
Playing with "kids", walking, gardening, cooking/baking, and of course visiting the fabulous Missouri Wineries!

Can you give any advice about selling on Etsy?
Utilized as many web based social sites to promote your shop, i.e Twitter, Facebook, or the various blogs. These are free marketing tools at your disposal and will lead to sales in your shop!

Favorite movie/book/music?
Movie: Jane Erye with Orson Wells; Book: currently Breaking Dawn of the Twilight series; Music: I mainly listen to hard rock/metal...currently liking the new Breaking Benjamin

In ten years you'll be...
a household name! ;) yep, Wino has high hopes!

Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival

Looking for something to do with the family? Also going on this weekend is the Apple Butter Festival in historic Kimmswick. Various arts + crafts, food and live entertainment will be happening Oct 24-25, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days! Say hi to Monsterbubbles, a fellow SME member. And there is of course, the famous the famous apple butter sold by The Kimmswick Historical Society at the Apple Butter Pavilion on Market Street.

Needle for Newborns

Paste Crafts in historic Soulard is teaming up with South City Studio and Girls Guide to the Galaxy to present Needle for Newborns, a 24-hour knitting/crocheting/crafting event benefiting St. Louis Children's Hospital.

Come on it to knit hats, mittens and even blankets for newborns... it's starting to get cold out there and babies need to be warm! The event runs from 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct 24th to 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct 25th. For more info, click HERE.

Last Day for Tower Grove Farmer's Market!

This weekend, October 24th is the LAST day of the season for Tower Grove Farmer's Market. It's been a fantastic success and ShowMe Etsy has had lots of fun. Don't miss out on this last time for wonderful seasonal produce and of course handmade goods.

The farmer's market will run from 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. ShowMe Etsy will be present in full force!

Celebrating Halloween

One of my favorite holidays is halloween. See how ShowMe Etsy celebrates!

Indie Undergound

This weekend, at Lumière Place Casino, the STL Craft Mafia & STL Fashion Week team will present the Indie Underground, a fabulous handmade market in the atrium. Check below for more info! The following SME members will be there.

Downzipper, Monsterbubbles, Sew Good & Trendy, South City Studio, Sparrow Studios, Villa Design

When: Oct. 16-17, 2009, 11 am - 8 pm

Where: the beautiful atrium of Lumière Place Casino & Hotels, 999 2nd Ave., Downtown, 314.881.7777 www.lumiereplace.com

Coming in Dec!

art-tro-py [ahrt-truh-pee] - noun - 1. A unique art & craft show experience 2. A measure of the randomness of the production, according to handmade principles, of what is beautiful, appealling, or of more than ordinary significance.

ShowMe Etsy presents Artropy on December 5th, 2009 in the cozy and intimate setting of Off Broadway, near the Lemp Mansion.

Come see Off Broadway transformed into a unique shopping locale! Join local St. Louis artists with diverse talents in areas including: jewelry design, textile arts, photography, mixed-media, glass work, eco-fashion and illustration. Artropy will run from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Can't wait to see you!

Buy Local. Buy Handmade.

Find SME Members Everywhere!

This weekend, SME members will be participating in a shows all around the St. Louis Metro Area. Check out below for show information!

Glass Galore 2009
September 26 ~ 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. ~ Kirkwood Community Center
SME members: Gypsy Flame, Villa Design

Green Homes St. Louis Festival
September 26 ~ 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. ~ 3600 block of Grandel Square (in mid-town St. Louis)
SME members: Candy Calamity, Sew Good and Trendy

Strange Folk Festival
September 26-27 ~ 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (both days) ~ Community Park, O'Fallon, IL
SME members: Aleece's Attic, Down Zipper, Jools Magools, Monsterbubbles, Sparrow Studios, South City Studio, Strung Out & Wired

Tower Grove Market This weekend!

ShowMe Etsy will be selling at Tower Grove Farmer's Market this weekend! Check them out Sept 19th from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Celebrating Fall

Fall is just around the corner! Here are a few fall-themed items from our SME members!

Tower Grove Farmer's Market

Find ShowMe Etsy throughout the season at Tower Grove Farmers' Market rated the top farmers market by the RFT in 2008. The Tower Grove Farmers' Market is a non-for-profit organization with a wide variety of local produce, meats and other local food products. It runs every Saturday from May 9 through October 24, 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., and is loacted in Tower Grove Park, just west of the Pool Pavillion.

ShowMe Etsy will there on the following dates:
May 9 (opening)
May 23
June 20
September 19
October 3rd
October 24 (closing)

Upcycle Exchange at Artropy!

And just what is the Upcycle Exchange? It's a fabulous program... as artists we're always looking for items to use in our art. Here's an easy way to donate unused craft items at ShowMe Etsy's Artropy event!

Here's a blurb from the Upcycle website!
The Upcycle Exchange is an pilot program aimed at initiating a cradle-to-cradle inspired production concept for the indie craft community. The basic premise is that customers can receive incentives, such as discounts on merchandise or other perks, when they collect and donate materials that crafters use to create handmade merchandise. Micro-manufacturers have formed a vast network both on the internet and in their communities over the past 10 years, and have enjoyed an explosion of popularity through local events and online shops. In light of the endlessly varied aesthetic tastes and resourcefulness of these well-connected cottage industries, we think they exhibit a huge potential to absorb over-consumption, and serve as a model for producing more sustainable domestic goods.

Artropy - Saturday, April 25th - 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Join us for the spring ShowMe Etsy show at SqWires - the Annex in historic Lafayette Square on April 25th from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This show features more than thirty exceptional St. Louis artists with diverse talents in many areas including: jewelry design, painting, textile arts, photography, mixed-media, glass work, eco-fashion and illustration. Can't wait to see you!

For more information: www.ShowMeEtsy.org