Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Me and the Boy

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Meet Tanya and Val from Me and the Boy

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
I'm the mom of a great son. We love to craft and create with whatever we can get our hands on! My company started when I couldn't always afford play therapy for my autistic son....than slowly, I was able to afford for my husband to take an extra day off work. Family is my everything.
Our bath and body line is almost all Vegan friendly and every single item contains no paraben, silicone or phthalate.
All our candles and tart melts are made of non GMO soy wax

♥ How long have you been in business?
Just a little over 2 years

♥ Please describe your business:
We offer a bit of everything. Our tagline is accessorize yourself and your home. We offer candles, bath and body, nail polish, jewelry and more.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
Everyday life inspires me. My family...and being able to not only offer my products to those that appreciate and love handmade but also shop handmade myself. It's awesome knowing that someone loves what I do!

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
 I provide free samples in virtually every order I ship. Based on an order I try to find something in my stash of samples that I think you would love or would work well with what you already have picked. Also word of mouth is HUGE....and it's advertising I can't buy!

♥ What do you love most about your business?
The freedom to do as I please.....and working in a tank top and shorts everyday is nice too! Plus I love when my son helps.....it teaches him a lot of life lessons.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
 It's simple.....I don't pay a thing when I sell! I pay a small fee yearly to sell.....and have amazing support from owners of the site that are also handmade lovers and makers! I can even offer my items a bit less as I don't have to pay seller fees


♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
BE PATIENT.....don't expect much the first year....believe that you are full of passion and greatness and just when you decide to quit....give it your all....it will pay off.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
We are slowly working into the Canadian retail market and hope to have a better percentage of our products in the retail market by then.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, please use code: BLOGLOVE for 20% off an your entire order at my Craft Cafe Shop.
{Expires 4.30.13}

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Tanya and Val for all their love and support.

Be sure to visit Me and The Boy soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Cornish Dragon

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Meet Victoria Tierney from Cornish Dragon

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
I have always loved making things since I was little and it influenced my first Job, as I'm a qualified as a Florist. Even though I don't work with flowers anymore the skills I learned have helped with my making and crafting.

♥ How long have you been in business?
Since January 2009

♥ Please describe your business:
Something for everyone, from gifts, jewelry, lampwork beads and not forgetting the Elves.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
Living in by the Atlantic Ocean here in Cornwall,  is just my biggest source of inspiration the ever changing sea, moors and nature. Also living an hour away from places like Tintagel and Boscastle the myths and legends of South West, England are a rich source of inspiration

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
When I started I didn't really market much, good customer service gave me a lot of "word of mouth" publicity. Now I use most of the social media like facebook, twitter, etc.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
Just making things that people love and enjoy.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Craft Cafe has no listing fees, which is great as listing regularly is not as expensive.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Make what you love and enjoy crafting. It can also be lonely at times so join a forum of like minded crafters they can hep and support you with problem plus have some fun and laughter, I have made some great friends since starting out through some forums.

♥ Lastly, where do you see your business in 5 years?
Still making and crating new things and just enjoying it.

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Victoria for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Cornish Dragon soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Bent Tree Crafts

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Meet Bridgett Howard from Bent Tree Crafts

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
I worked in the corporate world for my entire career, in the technology industry, and I have a degree in computer science.  Once I had my two sons, I decided to be a stay at home mom to be with them.  I was looking for a fun hobby, and I have always been a crafty person so I decided to take a jewelry making class and I was hooked.  I love making bracelets and that is what I mostly sell in my shop.  I also love photography, taking pictures of the beautiful scenery we have here in Colorado, and of course pictures of my two wonderful sons and husband.

♥ How long have you been in business?
 3.5 years

♥ Please describe your business:
In my shop you will find mostly casual, bohemian style jewelry.  Mostly bracelets because that is what I love making and wearing.  My jewelry is perfect for everyday wear; for moms on the go, like me, that want to add a little bit of fun to their jeans and t-shirts!

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
The colors in Nature.  I am an earthy and simple kind of girl so I love using natural colors and materials with some brightness every now and then.  Bohemian, and beach items also inspire me; I would have been the ultimate hippie if I grew up in the 60s and 70s.  Also, living in Colorado and having 4 seasons makes for great inspiration, especially late spring and fall.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Social Media has been the best marketing tool for me.  Being an online-based business, using social media sites, really is the key method to get your name out there.  I find that Facebook is one of the best marketing tools I have used so far.
I don’t really have a budget for marketing so taking advantage of free sites on the internet like blogging and sharing things on Facebook and Pinterest are great too!
I also believe having crisp, clear photos that show the details and colors of your items are important.  When purchasing something online, since you can’t pick it up and touch it or try it on, you really need to see the item at different angles and in different lighting.  Words can describe a product, but a good quality, detailed photo can make all the difference.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
 I like the fact that making jewelry is my hobby and I love doing it so it does not feel like work to me, its fun.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
First off, I was impressed at the pricing for selling on Craft Café it is very reasonable.   Secondly, I have been even more impressed with the management of Craft Café and how they truly support their sellers and try to help the shops promote their business through social media, and through contests and such.  You just don’t find companies that have such great customer service very often, so when I find one, I like to stick with them.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Do something you love that way it does not feel like work.  I have gotten discouraged in the past and almost given up, but I keep going and making jewelry.  It takes a while to get established online, to get your name out there, so don’t give up.  Not everyone will like what you make and that is ok as long as you like what you do and you are happy with it.  Just be confident in yourself and your abilities and that is all you need to be successful.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I don’t plan on trying to make it big as a jewelry designer.  I just do it for fun, and to pay for my hobby.  I would like to participate in a few craft fairs in the next few years.  A few goals I have for myself, in the next 5 years, are to learn more about working with leather and possibly taking some metal working classes.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Sure!  Use code: CCBLOG during checkout at my Craft Cafe Shop and receive 20% off your purchase!  {Expires 4/30/13}

♥ ***PLEASE NOTE: Craft Cafe is experiencing cart issues at this time. If you would like to order from Bridgett, please message her directly from her shop with your order and she will be happy to send you an invoice. {Don't forget to mention the coupon code}

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Bridgett for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Bent Tree Crafts soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Pinterest / Wanelo

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Skinny Dip Soaps

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Meet Amber Wilkins from Skinny Dip Soaps 

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
Hi there! My name is Amber and I'm a work from home mom of 4 amazing kiddos. 2 are in school and 2 are home with me during the day.  My kids are the reason I started making soap in the first place :)  I get most of my business work done late at night when everyone is sleeping and early in the morning after I take the 2 older kids to school.

♥ How long have you been in business?
I started making handmade soap in 2003 for my family and started selling it locally. I started my Etsy shop in March, 2011 and the Craft Cafe shop in July, 2012.

♥ Please describe your business:
You can find a variety of bath, body and home fragrances goodies in my shop.  Handcrafted soaps, scrubs, lip balms, whipped cream soaps, soy blend melts, candles and lots more.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
My family. I strive to make great products that are gentle enough for all of them to use.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Facebook and coupon codes.  Interact with your fans and keep your page or group active. Also, put a coupon code out there. It is a great way to get new people to try your products.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
Being able to do what I love.  I feel so blessed that I get to stay at home with my babies and work from home.  I am doing what makes me happy and I'm loving it!

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
When I heard about CC I jumped on it!  I get more profit because I am not having to pay a fee for listing the item or a fee when the item sells.  I made back the yearly fee within my first few sales on CC. I also love how Traci puts so much time into promoting the artisans.  You don't see that with a lot of the big online shops out there.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Research, research, research, test and repeat.  Take pride in the product that you have created, don't sell yourself short.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I would love to be making products full time and hire a helper.  I also hope to have my products in a few more shops here locally.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes! Please use code: "ccblog" for 15% off your entire purchase at my Craft Cafe Shop.{Expires March 31, 2013}

♥ ***PLEASE NOTE: Craft Cafe is experiencing cart issues at this time. If you would like to order from Amber, please message her directly from her shop with your order and she will be happy to send you an invoice.

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Amber for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Skinny Dip Soaps soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Sweet Light Candle Co.

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Meet Dina Muzzy from Sweet Light Candle Co.

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
 I am the proud mother of a 5 month old baby girl! I just turned 40 last May and I'm originally from New York. I currently reside in South Florida with my husband Dave and my daughter, Alora. I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology where I received an Associates Degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising and an Associates degree in Display and Exhibit Designing. After years of being employed in the creative and corporate worlds, I began my own business of designing and creating custom invitations. My customers loved the invitations and continuously asked me to create a unique favor. They were bored with the standard wedding, shower and party favors, especially when they had one of a kind invitations. I decided to combine my love of baking, desserts and candles and try my hand at creating these unique Gourmet Dessert Candles. Well, it was so much more difficult than I thought! I had never made candles before, not even jar candles. Months and months of research and product testing developed into a passion which evolved into Sweet Light Candle Co. Although I loved designing the invitations, I found my niche in the candle world and decided to create these candles exclusively. Not only do I enjoy creating the candles, I enjoy the freedom I have of being able to set my own schedule each day and juggle being a mom, wife, daughter and business owner. I look forward to many years of creating fabulous Dessert Candles and watching my daughter grow up into the person she will become.

♥ How long have you been in business?
Sweet Light Candle Co. was born in January 2011

♥ Please describe your business:
All of my Gourmet Scented Dessert Candles and Wax Melts are made by me in my candle bakery. Combining the highest quality wax and fragrance, and with careful attention to every creative detail,  they all look as good as they smell. They look so realistic you might even be tempted to take a bite! We are currently a small family involved incorporated business but plan on growing it into a huge success!

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
My inspiration comes in many forms. Whether it's strolling through a bakery, seeing a picture of a mouthwatering dessert, or chatting with my customers. My creative juices flow and I'm constantly thinking "how can I make that dessert into a candle?".

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
I've found that social internet sites like Facebook and Twitter, as well as being a part of a group like Sampler Village, have helped spread the word about my company bringing me new and repeat customers.  Providing customers with small samples of my candles allows me to introduce them to my business without spending a fortune on advertising.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
 It's definitely the creative aspect. I've always been creative and business minded, but I'm happiest being creative. I love thinking about new candles to add to my product line, and I get excited when I've developed the perfect candle recipe for that new item.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Being a part of Sampler Village and knowing Traci is in charge of Craft Cafe was just another opportunity for me to be a part of the amazing community of artisans she has gathered.  Craft Cafe is easy to navigate through as a seller, from listing my items, to editing them, posting sales and special offers. And the infinite amount of hours Traci and her team put into advertising Craft Cafe and getting exposure for all of the shops is a bonus. Plus I like being able to add as many products as I want without extra fees.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Create what you love. If your passionate about your products it will show and your customers will become passionate too. You also have to be able to change and evolve as your business grows. Test out a new product before dumping tons of money into creating it. Try out different avenues of marketing and advertising. Some things will work and some won't. Don't become fixated on having to do things a certain way because it's working for another business. It's all a learning process until you find out what works for your particular product.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I am diligently working on growing by business, gaining new customers and adding new items to my product line so I will be able to move it out of my home and into a commercial work space. As my business grows, I would love to contribute more to the various charities and groups in my community. I'd like Sweet Light Candle Co. to be known not only for fabulous, high quality Dessert Candles, but being involved in the community and helping others.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes. Use the coupon code SWEET2013 to enjoy 10% off my entire Craft Cafe Shop. {Expires 3.31.13}

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Dina for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Sweet Light Candle Co. soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Website

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Green Street Mosaics

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Meet Lauren Constantino from Green Street Mosaics

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
My name is Lauren Constantino and I am the creator behind Green Street Mosaics. I live in Saint Petersburg, Florida with my husband and our yellow labrador retriever Quincy.

♥ How long have you been in business?
Since January 2012.

♥ Please describe your business:
Green Street Mosaics specializes in Custom Mosaics. I make mosaic mirrors, personalized mosaic name plaques, mosaic address signs, and mosaic home decor.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
Colors and patterns! I enjoy mosaics because I love taking so many small individual pieces of glass and forming them into one cohesive unit. It takes patience, but it is worth it.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
I’ll include my top three.... 1) I am active on Facebook, Twitter, Wanelo, Pinterest, Google+,We Heart It... you name it. This has helped to create back links and ‘fans’ (aka potential customers!) 2) I think it is important to be consistent with branding to make my product and store recognizable. 3) I include a coupon with each shipment - a way to say thank you to customers and remind them that new items are added frequently so be sure to come back for another look. This has helped me to become successful at building repeat customers and a loyal customer base.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love making my own schedule and meeting customers, fellow crafters, and other business people from all over.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
The Craft Cafe community has been so active and supportive from day one. The site is friendly to both sellers and buyers. Listing and managing my shop is intuitive. Prices are beyond reasonable.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Know that it takes time and a lot of work to be successful. Things don’t happen overnight. Research your customer base. Decide what makes your product unique and go with it.

♥ Lastly, where do you see your business in 5 years?
I see Green Street Mosaics continuing to be successful.

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Lauren for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Green Street Mosaics soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter

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**Craft Cafe's Custom Mosaic Sign is in the works! Thank you Lauren!!

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Sugared Euphoria

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Meet Sarah Henson from Sugared Euphoria

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
Hi! My name is Sarah, I'm a 26 year old Canadian mother to an adorable little boy who will be turning 3 in April. I love baking, crafting, art, rollercoasters and loud music. I come from an eclectic family of animal lovers! We have everything from cats and fish, to scorpions and even an albino hedgehog. There's never a dull moment in my life!

♥ How long have you been in business?
I officially started offering my goodies for sale in February of 2012

♥ Please describe your business:
I offer handcrafted glycerin soaps, jumbo bath bombs and fizzy bath salts in all sorts of fun designs and fragrances! Whether you just need something simple and relaxing to pamper yourself, or something more bright and upbeat to liven up your bath, my goal is to offer a diverse collection of gentle, skin-loving goodies suitable for the entire family!

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
To be honest, everything inspires me! Whether I'm following current fashion and colour trends, thinking about holidays and weather forecasts or catching a whiff of perfume as someone passes me in a store, there's always a neverending supply of inspiration all around me. I'm especially inspired by other artisans! There's nothing that can get your gears turning more than being surrounded by such wonderfully talented and incredible people.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Host giveaways, offer discounts and promote wherever possible! Also, take the time to post and chat with your customers on a more personal level - from my own shopping experience, customers love knowing they are supporting artisans who are genuinely kind and caring!

♥ What do you love most about your business?
 I love knowing that I can create whatever my heart desires, whenever inspiration hits. I love all the amazing people I've had the chance to meet, and the part of me that wants to squeal with joy every time I drop a package off at the post office and picture those goodies going from raw ingredients in my kitchen, to fully finished products ready to be enjoyed in a bathtub thousands of miles away!

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
 I chose Craft Café as the primary venue for my business because not only does it have surprisingly easy setup and is an amazingly affordable place to sell, but the customer service and sense of community is absolutely unrivaled! Not once have I felt left in the dark to compete or fend for myself, everyone involved is a joy to be around!

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Don't ever be discouraged or scrap a project you truly love just because it doesn't sell or get tons of attention at first. Even if there are a million other artisans doing the same things you do, ultimately people will notice your products for the love, attention and passion you put into them. Follow your heart and continue to push your creativity!

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
Honestly, I prefer to fly by the seat of my pants! If you asked me 5 years ago what I would be doing now, I probably didn't have any idea then either. I just hope to push myself forward, build a bigger and better business network, offer a wider range of wonderful goodies and take on each day with as much positivity as possible. Oh, and I can bet 5 years from now my son will probably be a seasoned bath bomb making pro! ;)

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Of course! Please feel free to come visit my shop and use code CHAT15 to save 15% off your entire order until 3.8.13.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with me! :)

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Sarah for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Sugared Euphoria soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Fairy Flame Soy Candles

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Meet Leslie Pickering from Fairy Flame Soy Candles

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I am a stay at home Mother of one awesome little boy and the full time wife of a wonderful man that lets me follow my dreams. I enjoy having a job that allows me to be home with my family and still contribute financially. It is really a treat to see people enjoy products I have created. I love coming up with new scent ideas, creative packaging and I really do love to take my product out to sell personally.

♥ How long have you been in business?
 I have been selling since 2008

♥ Please describe your business:
I make scented soy items for the home in the form of tea lights, container candles and wax melts. I also do many fundraisers, craft shows, online sales and gift baskets.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
This may sound odd  but I would say myself! I love making candles and melts that I personally would choose for my home. I love colorful, whimsical things. This is how we came up with my name actually! Fairies have been a favorite of mine for years and my good friend Rick suggested Fairy Flame in a brainstorming session.  He then proceeded to make my logo with the fairy lighting the "i" like a candle. There is a lot of myself in my products and I love that!

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Craft shows and social media. I love talking with people at shows and handing out flyers and business cards.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love being my own boss and putting a little bit of something that is me out there into the world. It is so rewarding when your products can make people smile.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I really like the idea of not having a per item fee or any other little extra fees. It is really straight forward, easy to manage and they do a wonderful job of promoting the shops.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Don't give up! If you are anything like me you will stress out until something is perfect, make it through your beginning stages and just know that everyone started somewhere. I could share many testing disasters myself. Just keep at it!

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I would love to see it grow enough to consider a store front. I have so many ideas for that.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Absolutely! Use coupon code CafeChat for 15% off of your entire order at my Fairy Flame Soy Candles Craft Cafe shop
{Expires 5.31.14}

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Leslie for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Fairy Flame Soy Candles soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Lather Rinse Clean

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Meet Patty Asfour from Lather Rinse Clean

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
I’m happily married to a wonderful man named Sam. We have been married for 3 years and have built our marriage in a deep rooted faith in God. We don’t have any kids right now, but we do have a cat named Meow Meow.

♥ How long have you been in business?
I’ve been in business for a little over a year.

♥ Please describe your business:
I would have to describe my business as being fun, I really enjoy what I make. From food soaps with fun shapes and scents, to long lasting beauty bars and pampering lotions and sugar scrubs.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
I’m inspired by the everyday things I see, especially cute and delicious things. I love to make fun, cute stuff that will bring a smile to everybody’s face and a grumble to your stomach.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
 Social media and recognizing my customers by sending them thank you cards and getting feedback from them on how they liked the products.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love that I can make my own products.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I chose Craft Café because of its low monthly fees and there are no listing/sales fees. They also advertise my business on their Facebook page and because of all the support groups they offer, I feel that with these support groups my business can really grow.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
The most important thing to remember when starting a crafting business is to do what you love, don’t worry if you don’t get sales at first, they will come in time.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
In 5 years, I hope to have expanded my lines of soaps and I hope to see my soap in shops around the country.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, use coupon code: 15OFF for 15% off your entire purchase from my Craft Cafe Shop. {Expires 4.1.13}

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Patty for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Lather Rinse Clean soon ♥ ♥
Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - La Spice – The Walnut Company

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Meet La Rue Weiland from La Spice – The Walnut Company

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
Hi there, my name is La Rue and I am the owner of La Spice – The Walnut Company. My favorite thing is being in the kitchen. I love the smells of cooking. I also enjoy spending time outdoors, love camping, hiking and long walks with my beagles. I love flowers. I have a beautiful field of sunflowers in the summer time. I have been a California girl all my life, but two years ago, I moved to Oregon.  I adore anything that is sparkly and that smells good!! Oh and I love everything about La Spice Nuts.

♥ How long have you been in business?
La Spice was started after becoming unemployed in 2009.

♥ Please describe your business:
 La Spice – The Walnut Company began with a fond childhood memory and four generations of preparing walnuts for the holidays and special occasion.  We are a gourmet nut company, our nuts are coated with pristine ingredients, we use only the freshest nuts and we package them beautifully.  We also carry the freshest raw nuts and trail mix.  A simple nut turned into an extraordinary snack is what La Spice - The Walnut Company is!

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
Stories! I love to listen to people telling their stories and experiences.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Networking and events!  These days you must be able to sell online.  Being in the food industry, you must get your product out there, you must get people to taste it. I have found with my nuts, people think it’s just another nut, but if you taste it, it has now become a wow factor!

♥ What do you love most about your business?
When a customer says, “Wow, this is so delicious”.  Selling one of nature's super foods in terms of nutrition and health benefits. The incredible smells in the kitchen.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
 It’s new and has unlimited possibilities for success. The Craft Café staff, always available and responds quickly to problems or questions.  When I found out about Craft Cafe I had be a part of the success.  I love Craft Café's website.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
 “If you dream it, you can do it” and “Be fearless”

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
My hope is that La Spice - The Walnut Company will become a treasured indulgence that can be found everywhere for you and your families.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, coupon code will be NUTS20 for 20% off your entire purchase in my Craft Cafe Shop.
Expires 2.28.13

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to La Rue for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit La Spice – The Walnut Company soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Website

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Quilted Keepsake Ornaments

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Meet Renee Osborne from Quilted Keepsake Ornaments

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
My name is Renee and I am married to my husband Kurt.  In fact we just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary.  We have a son Cameron who is turning nineteen very soon.  We also have a dog and cat who for the most part get along pretty well.  I worked in the corporate world for twenty seven years until I was laid off in 2011.  I have been unemployed since.  My family and I are originally from Southern California and now live in Olympia Washington due to my husband’s job relocating.  We’ve been planning this move for three years and it finally happened this past June.  It’s a beautiful state and I’m enjoying the changing seasons that you just don’t get in Southern California, but the one thing I miss the most is my family and friends back home.  I can’t wait for them to come up to visit us.

♥ How long have you been in business?
I’ve been an online seller since 2006 when I was making rag quilts, but then in 2009 I ventured into making quilted ornaments after being introduced to this beautiful technique a year earlier.  After making the first one, I was hooked and just kept making more and more of them.  My goal was to improve my technique to where I felt they were ready to sell to the public.  So in June of 2009 Quilted Keepsake Ornaments was opened for business.

♥ Please describe your business:
I make and sell novelty Christmas ornaments by applying beautiful fabrics, ribbons and embellishments to Styrofoam ball forms.  It’s a gorgeous technique that requires patience, precision and lots of passion which is why I love it so much.  Even though Christmas ornaments are seasonal, my shop is open every day for those who are looking to buy a unique gift for family and friends throughout the year.   I also specialize in photo ornaments.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
My family and friends!  I’m so blessed to have such a wonderful family that supports and encourages me in my business.  Their positive energy keeps me inspired to do what I absolutely love to do, and it shows in my work.  Aside from that, I have this love for fabrics.  I get inspired just looking at all the beautiful patterns and colors that are available to me.  My favorite fabric pattern is the Paisley design, and I hope to get more ornaments with this design into my shop very soon.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
I use Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.  I recently received two custom orders from separate individuals who saw my ornaments on Pinterest.   That was pretty cool!  I also have a YouTube video that gets a lot of daily views and visitors to my website.  It’s a great medium to advertise your business and showcase your beautiful work, so I highly recommend a video on YouTube.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love everything about my business.  Aside from making my products, I love the whole behind the scenes of taking the product photos, listing them and keeping up with all the social media stuff.  It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy the challenge.  I’m always looking for new techniques or improvements to old ones that will give me that competitive edge.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
When I heard about Craft Café opening a new online venue back in the spring of 2012, it piqued an interest.  I liked what I had read, the pricing structure was the best I had seen compared to other venues and after being here now for seven months, the level of service from the staff members is top notch.  The sellers here are nice too!

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
First of all congratulations in making your dream come true!  When I started out in 2006 I had no clue what I was doing.  If it wasn’t for the community of sellers where my website was being hosted at the time, I probably wouldn’t have learned as much as I did in that first year.  So I guess my advice for someone starting out would be to join a community where you can also learn and get great support from other sellers.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I have a few ideas brewing in the back of my mind that I’m hoping will come to fruition within a year or two.  If it’s successful, it should bring in a new customer base for my business.  I also want a new updated craft room with a color palette that is calming and inviting, like blue and white which are my two favorite color combinations.  We are renting right now, so therefore I am stuck with plain ol’ white, blah!

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, I would like to offer a 15% discount on everything in my Craft Café shop, including custom orders.  Please use coupon code ccLuV15 during checkout.  This offer expires end of day on 2/14/13.

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Renee for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Quilted Keepsake Ornaments soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Purveyor of Geekery

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Meet Shell Bufton from Purveyor of Geekery

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
Compulsive adventurer, gardener, Purveyor of Geekery, seeker of swoon.
Before starting PoG I had a corporate addiction: creating marketing and UX engagement strategies for clients on the Fortune and Inc. lists. I’ve had an ecommerce project highlight among the likes of Flickr, Instructables, Wikipedia and more on PGMag’s Top 100 Website list and created strategies for a nonprofit foundation whose javascript code is found on over %54 of the top 10,000 websites in the world. I love geekery.
I slowed it down when our family was expecting an addition. As we all know: sleep deprivation + stress = no good things. I had to cut out one or the other, and sleep deprivation wasn’t going anywhere for a while. So I cut out the corporate clients and returned to my roots. I loved working with small businesses owners. I loved their passion and curiosity, their creativity and problem solving.

♥ How long have you been in business?
I started Purveyor of Geekery in January 2012 when I was pregnant with my son, so one year now. Where does the time go? Lol. I’ve been a marketing consultant and designer for over 13 years. Cringe. Did I just reveal my age?

♥ Please describe your business:
Ostentatious Business Finery. Our best sellers are our shop sets, logos, web ads, product labels and business card designs but we provide a full range of marketing, design, and advertising services to small businesses.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
Business owners! Whether they are just starting out or have been in the business for a while, I love working with business owners. I love teaching and answering questions almost as much as I love seeing clients succeed.
One was recently featured in HGTV magazine, one was named to the top 5 Crafty Moms via Babble.com, and we helped another two open brick and mortars. And that is just four! Last year, even with maternity leave we had over 370 clients from 12 countries!

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
I’d love to, but they’ll have to contact me. :) My best advice: make friends wherever you go. Never ever ever underestimate the power of your network but remember it’s a karma bank: in order to take anything out, you have to put it in.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
Freedom, but that is really love or hate, depending if I am sleeping or working at midnight on any given day.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
They have amazing customer service and a positive and supportive community. It’s refreshing.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Don’t get so caught up in the idea of becoming an “entrepreneur” that you forget the real reason that you are in business. The journey isn’t about you but what you can bring to the world. Your gift brings happiness to others so when you make it about that and not about yourself, the doubt and self criticism goes away and you have the freedom just to do.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I’m at a point where I don’t need or want the business to grow, but I feel obligated to. There are growing pains. I’ve been resisting the need to grow.
With the economy the way it is, every business that I can play even a small part in helping to succeed is one step closer to healing the financial needs of a family somewhere. That level of sustainability is what our communities need right now and should be an obligation to everyone. But growing at this point would require bringing on more help. Job creation is also really good right now, but I have to admit that idea scares me a bit.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Free stuff rocks! Let’s do a giveaway! You can enter right here!
Ends Midnight on 2.7.13, winner announced 2.8.13 :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Shell for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Purveyor of Geekery soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Pinterest / Website

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Luxe Bath and Body

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Meet Angela Contin from Luxe Bath and Body

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
I was born and raised in the Bronx. Currently reside in Forney ,TX. I have a wonderful supportive husband and family which I am very thankful for. I have 4 wonderful children, the oldest 25 and the youngest 7. I am a Mimi to a little boy named Bronx who I adore and whose smile just melts my heart.

♥ How long have you been in business?
Officially been in business for almost a year. However I have been making products for a few years now. I started out making candles a few years back and then for Christmas 2011 I wanted to make soap to give out as Christmas gifts and that was it. I knew I had to keep making it. Everyone loved it and now with my 2 youngest in school I had the time so I made a lot of soap and during the spring of 2012, I started touring the craft shows as Angie Scented Shop. In January, we evolved into Luxe Bath and Body. It has been such a great ride so far and I am loving every minute of it.

♥ Please describe your business:
I make bath and body products that you can pamper yourself with without breaking the bank. I know in today’s economy, it’s a little harder to spoil ourselves. For me bath and body products have always been a luxury. I feel I am helping by offering luxury handmade products at a reasonable price. This way everyone can indulge!

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
I have always loved everything that smells good. I am such a smell person. Our sense of smell helps us enjoy life. It can brings back memories and influence a person’s mood.
For me when I am making soap or a candle the scent dictates what I want the soap to look like. I love when a person picks up my soap and inhales and with a big smile says “not only is this a beautiful soap but it smells amazing”.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Make as many friends online and in person as you can. Always have sample on hand and pass them out to everyone you talk to. Get involved in as many local events as you can. Utilize social media and pack your stuff up and get out there on the weekends. You may have the most perfect product, but if it's not being seen, it's not being bought.  

♥ What do you love most about your business?
Being creative and exploring new creative avenues. I grab my coffee go into my studio put the music on and get to work. There is nothing better than loving what you do and having fun while you’re doing it.  The icing on the cake is when e when a product turns out just the way I saw it in my head.  

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I love the personal nature of Craft Cafe. I think it's wonderful that they shout out new shops and take the time to get to know their artists through interviews and spotlights like this.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Love what you do. Especially when you're first starting out, you might be putting more into it then you are getting out. But dream big and keep with it. Put yourself out there on as many outlets as you can.    Remember Dreams can’t come true if you don’t have any.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
My goal is to get off the craft circuit and open my own little boutique.  I want it so bad and I won’t quit until I open the doors.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, please enter code: Valentine2013 for 10% off your entire order in my Craft Cafe Shop. Expires 2.14.13.

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Angela for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Luxe Bath and Body soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Bent and Burnt

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Meet Brandy Potter from Bent and Burnt

♥ Please tell us about yourself: 
I live in Hackett, AR.  Woohoo-go Hornets!! I have an awesome hardworking husband who is my biggest fan.  1 crafty daughter, 3 crazy boys, 1 Great Dane named Frank, and a turkey named T.D. (short for Thanksgiving dinner. Yeah, boy was he lucky we all decided we liked him too much!)  I have a workshop outside where the majority of my things are, but of course I have drug projects all over the place and they seem to be in every nook and cranny imagineable!  My husband has a construction company, so he gives me all his leftovers.  When I die I am positive my tombstone will read, "Don't toss that, I can make something with it!"

♥ How long have you been in business?
I have been making things for years here and there selling them, but to actually have been doing craft shows and such, I would say probably about 2 years now.

♥ Please describe your business:
Bent and Burnt, I like to think is what country looks like.  I make country decor.  Barbed wire and reclaimed wood just screams southern down-home to me.  Its pretty much me making things that I would love to have in my own house but don't have room for!

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
My inspiration comes from everywhere. Nature, photos, people.  I can go to a friends house and see a bare spot on their wall and think, hmmm.......a *blank* would look good there.  Then off I am with an idea of something to make.  I could mow the yard, paint the house, do a million loads of laundry, bbq, and entertain the kids, but when I make something new it actually feels like I accomplished something for the day.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
WORD OF MOUTH!  Okay, I'm gonna do a plug here.....my older, yeah Karen I said it, OLDer sister has an amazing horse tack business with some of the most beautifully made tack called Pampered Pony Tack (check it out on facebook).  Now me being quite possibly the most un-technologically savvy person on the planet, I ask her what her secret is for marketing.  Its no secret people....word of mouth.  Facebook can be your best friend.  Put your stuff out there, direct people to your shop.  Your friends will share, then their friends and before you know it, everyone has seen your stuff!

♥ What do you love most about your business?
People for sure.  If you can't tell by now, I'm a talker!  I can bend wire, burn signs, boxes or whatever all day long, but until you can get it into someones hands and you can tell its exactly what they wanted or that they just found that perfect gift for someone then you've done it for nothing.  Peoples reactions to the things that you have put your time and effort into making are what keeps you wanting to make more

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Actually Jennifer Taff, owner of Craft Cafes' - My Kiddos and Me, was my reason for trying the Cafe.  Jennifer and I have been good friends since Junior High.  Shes a very talented, quirky, up-beat person.  Our styles are so totally different from each others but together we have been known to come up with some great ideas.  Now anyone that knows Jen, knows that she is a bloodhound for checking out every detail on something before she commits.   She called me one day and tells me that she's just signed up on this great new craft site for handmade artisans and crafters called Craft Cafe.  I knew it was something that I should check into.  Craft Cafe, unlike all the other craft venues I've seen or used, has more of a family feel.  You don't feel lost in the shuffle.  The admins are spectacular!  If there is a problem they are on it like my kids on a honeybun!  Its nice to be surrounded by other crafters and artisans that encourage each other and that aren't afraid that you'll steal their spotlight.  They are quick to share their techniques and give advice.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Love your stuff.  Not everyone is going to like what you make or what you do, in fact, some people may down right hate it.  But if you can show people how much you love it and that you stand behind your work, then whether they do or not they will at least respect the effort you put into it.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
 I would love to have an actual business.  A "for real" brick and mortar, my name is on the building, walk through the door and there is my stuff, business!  When people ask me "Where are you located?" I don't want to say Hackett, Arkansas.  I want to say, "The *blank* building on main street in Hackett, Arkansas.  Yep,  that would be pretty stinkin sweet!!

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
HECK YEAH! Who doesn't love a sale?  Since this month marks my 14th wedding anniversary, let's use coupon code: January99 for 15% off your entire order in my Craft Cafe Shop. (expires 2.14.13)

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Brandy for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Bent and Burnt soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Key West by Palms Soaps

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Meet Kathy Rojas from Key West by Palms Soaps

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I was raised in tropical Key West.  We now live a little farther north of the island but remain in South Florida.  We enjoy the outdoors with our son, dog and African grey parrot.  I work full-time managing a boat surveying company and part-time I enjoy creating beautiful handmade glycerin soaps.  I love fishing, gardening and spending time at my son’s ranch with the many animals of his petting farm.

♥ How long have you been in business?
Key West by Palms Soaps has officially been in business for two years.  Prior to officially opening for business I spent a year making soap for myself, friends and family; who prompted me to start selling soap.

♥ Please describe your business:
I make handmade glycerin soap products for men, women and children and specialize in tropical fragrances and bright cheerful colors for my individual customers, wholesale accounts and wedding, birthday and shower gatherings.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
Seeing and hearing they enjoy the feel, fragrance and appearance of the products I create.  I love the challenges of creating something new all the time.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
The best marketing technique for me have been social media and word of mouth from others who enjoy using my soaps.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
There are so many things I love about my business but a few include the enjoyment of creating beautifully appearing and smelling soaps, the feedback from my customers, participating in vendor events and meeting new customers (several of which have gone on to be friends), etc.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Craft Café is awesome!  They do not overwhelm you with fees, are always there for me with any questions no matter how trivial, are helpful with promoting everyone’s individual store and they make you feel like you are family with their attention for your wants and needs.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Never give up.  It takes time to establish a client base and it does not happen overnight.  Always provide excellent customer service and no customer is too small.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I hope to be able to quit my day job and be able to just make soap and/or even open a brick and mortar store.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
I would like to offer 20% off all orders (excluding shipping); use the coupon code CAFE20 in my Craft Cafe Shop

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Kathy for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Key West by Palms Soaps soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Aqua Blossom

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Meet Ashley Wallis from Aqua Blossom

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I'm a mom to two boys, ages 2 and 3. I love natural products and started making baby bath products when my kids were babies. The more I read and learned about different ingredients and techniques, the more adventurous I got with my products. After I learned to make lip balms and body scrubs, I was encouraged by friends and family to open up a shop. Ever since then it has been wonderful! It's not just my job, but also my creative outlet  When I'm not working or developing new products, I love reading, baking, playing at the park with the kids, and watching movies with my hubby.

♥ How long have you been in business?
Almost 2 years.

♥ Please describe your business:
I make spa-quality products, including lip balm, body scrubs, body butter, and facial products. All of my products are 100% handmade by me - from selecting the best ingredients, to creating a perfect formula, melting, mixing, designing labels, packaging - everything is handmade from start to finish. All of my products are vegan and gluten-free, and I use natural ingredients that are safe for your skin and the environment.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
 I get a lot of inspiration from nature and the seasons. I love making seasonal products - minty or cinnamon flavors in the winter, fresh and floral for the spring, etc. A good amount of my scents are tropical or fruity... being a Florida girl, we have summer most of the year

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
I have tried tons of different techniques, but I think what has worked best for me is to constantly keep in contact with customers through social media. Instead of just posting or tweeting when I have a sale going on, I post photos of what I'm working on today or of a completed custom order. Also, asking questions or seeking opinions is a good way to encourage participation through social

♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love that it is something I created, by myself, from the ground up. It is my baby! I also love that being my own boss has enabled me to work on my own schedule. I've been able to stay home with my kids while they're little, which has been amazing. And I can get orders out at 2 am if I need to - I am a night owl

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Craft Cafe is a really unique handmade community! First of all, it is very fair to all sellers, and everyone has a chance to be on the front page! From a seller standpoint, they have super easy tools to set up shop, like shipping tools and photo uploading tools. The pricing structure also cannot be beat - paying per month or per year is always a better deal than paying per transaction. Keeping my fees lower, means keeping my prices lower for customers

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Do NOT give up! Getting those first few sales can be rough - I didn't make my first sale for two months. Just keep on creating and listing your items, and don't forget to promote. Also, don't sell yourself short - it is tempting to price things low to attract new customers, but if you're not making any money, how will you afford to keep creating?

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
 I am constantly making short and long term goals for myself! In 5 years I really would like to have my products in some local shops and boutiques, and to keep increasing and meeting my online sales goals.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Absolutely! You can use coupon code CAFELOVE for 20% off your purchase through March 31, 2013 in my Craft Cafe Shop.

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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Ashley for all her love and support.

Be sure to visit Aqua Blossom soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter