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 - 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

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - KSMonkeys

Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - KSMonkeys

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Meet Amber Melzer and Family from KSMonkeys

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I am a 28 year old mom of 4 beautiful little girls. They are the reason KSMonkeys was born. I am from Arizona, finally being able to move back after my husband recently seperated from the Air Force after serving 12 years. I have been sewing since I was about 7 years old. I would sew with my elderly neighbor who would sew for infants and children in the hospital or other needy children. I am all things crafty. If I don't have at least 5 different craft projects going on then my husband will start to think I am getting sick. When I am not sewing or crafting I love to spend time with my girls and husband. The one big thing that we love to do is go geocaching together.

♥ How long have you been in business?
KSMonkeys was born in 2005 when I had my first daughter, although at the time I was working full time. I officially launched into the boutique world in early 2011 and have been on Craft Cafe since they opened their doors.

♥ Please describe your business:
KSMonkeys is an affordable Children's Boutique. We love to create different and unique looks to the customers looks. I am constantly challenging myself to look outside the box. I started with just children's boutique clothing and have slowly started to offer custom applique and embroidery shirts.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
The number one thing that inspires me are my girls. They are a huge part of the creative process. My 5 year old loves to put fabric together for me to create new ideas.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
I believe that social media is a big one, also word of mouth.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
Seeing the smile on childrens faces in their new outfits. The best thing I hear and makes me keep doing what I am doing is my 3 year old trying on something I made for her and her running up to me, giving me the biggest hug, and saying "Mommy, it's bee-t-ful!" Melts my heart every time and I think of all of my customers and their children having that same moment.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Simple, it is affordable and they have the best customer service around. I have been with multiple other sites and by far Craft Cafe has the best customer service and the best crew. There is support almost 24/7. If I have a question it is usually answered within minutes not hours like many of the other sites.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
 patient. Orders aren't going to come in over night. I had to learn this. Don't get discouraged. Keep going and the orders will come in.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
 I would love to have a steady income from my boutique and also possibly have my own "brick and mortar" store.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, please use code: ccblog20 and Get 20% Off your entire purchase at my Craft Cafe Shop!

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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 KSMonkeys soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Debora Mauser Designs

Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - Debora Mauser Designs

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Meet Debora Mauser from Debora Mauser Designs

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
All my life I have created things, starting with woven potholders as a child and then numerous handcrafts, like sewing and knitting and crossstitch, ended up becoming a hairdresser.  When parenthood took over, I started down different paths but found my true calling when I started creating jewelry.  From creating, I have moved onto teaching. I teach nationally at venues like Bead and Button, Bead Fest, William Holland School of Lapidary Arts and many other places.  I am just starting my journey into online shopping and hope to have a successful partnership with Craft Café.

♥ How long have you been in business?
12 Years

♥ Please describe your business:
Lately my focus has been on teaching, but have sold my jewelry at small shows and even at house parties.  I need a presence online and Craft Café has made that easy to attain.  I create one of a kind jewelry that reflects my love of texture, form and color.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
Like many others, the nature around me is a true inspiration, the shape of a tree trunk, the colors of flowers and the movement of those elements all bring ideas to me.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Always wear your creations, take business cards with you at all times.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love taking flat wire and metal and turning into a three dimension creation.  When I teach the part that I love most is seeing my students eyes light up when they ‘get it’.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I have thought about an online store for several years, and even reserved a place on another site, but never opened it.  I chose Craft Café because of their price structure, there seeming less endless energy and commitment to their sellers.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Practice, practice, practice.  It takes years to develop your craft/art to the point that most are satisfied enough to offer their products for sale.  Learn, learn, learn… take classes, read, network. All invaluable to the creative process.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I hope to be teaching at larger venues and in some local galleries as well as advancing my online store.  My work is evolving continuously, now using more metal and color than ever. The road is always twisting and turning.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, I would like to offer10% off til 12/15, simply use code: xmas when checking out at my  Craft Cafe Shop.

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

Be sure to visit Debora Mauser Designs soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - The Dip Lady

Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - The Dip Lady

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Meet Carla McPhee from The Dip Lady

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I am a mother of 3 with a wonderful husband who helps me out when he can in between his full time job and coaching youth football. I'm originally from Massachusetts and I have been living in Arizona since 2001. I love the abundance of blue skies, tall palm trees and amazing sunsets. I have a weakness for anything blingy and shiny...I'm very creative and I love to make things...I love muscle cars and old vintage signs!

♥ How long have you been in business?
Since 2002

♥ Please describe your business:
I have 21 gourmet flavored dip mixes that come prepackaged. I offer delicious fruit dips, spicy dips, bread dipping mixes, bagel and cracker spreads, no-bake style cheesecakes, and bean dips. I also hand craft my ceramic dip chillers. These are 2 part bowls where the top bowl that holds your dips sits inside another bowl that holds the ice and water, so that you always keep your dips chilled and fresh. I also hand craft french style butter bells and these keep your butter soft and spreadable. Among other fun items I make are, kitchen magnets on tiles, wine cork necklaces and key chains and my most recent project are soldered glass charm necklaces.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
I am inspired by my customers. When I'm at a show and I hear things like...."Oh thank goodness you are here!" or "Oh, I finally found you!"...that inspires me because what I have is something they need and you feel appreciated by their words.... that inspires me!!

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
My best marketing technique is .... "Try before you buy!" ~ It works everytime. When I sample at my booth at a craft show, they simply cannot resist and they end up taking home several of my mixes.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love that I am able to see my children off to school and that I'm here when they get home...I feel blessed that I have so much time with them while running my business.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I have chosen Craft Cafe because it allows me to list as many items as I want, no limits...so user friendly!

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
My best advice to anyone starting out is...."Don't be afraid of hard work!"

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I would like to see more wholesale accounts and my items in more locally owned shops in the valley.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, please enter code "diplady" when checking out at my  Craft Cafe Shop to receive 10% off your entire purchase!


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

Be sure to visit The Dip Lady soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Pinterest 

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Georgia Marbles

Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - Georgia Marbles

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Meet Georgia Groves w/ Grandson Jackson from Georgia Marbles

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
My name is Georgia and I live in Ohio ..not Georgia. I  love to sew! I have been sewing since I was about 12 years old. I remember watching my Grandma make doll clothes without a pattern. I have been married to "SANTA" for 40 years. We raised 4 children and have 6 grandchildren. I started making tutus  for my daughter's dance studio and listed some online...happened to make an apron and they took off selling better than the tutus so I started making more! I started making the  the Vintage Inspired Cloth Paper Dolls about  a year ago. I really enjoy creating fun different items for that special person who wants unique things.

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

♥ Please describe your business:
I believe my Craft Cafe shop reflects my  joy of sewing . Most of my aprons are OOAK (one of a kind) and have been made using my own original pattern using both vintage and vintage inspired fabrics. My dolls all take on  a personality of their own.. I love adding the little extra vintage buttons, ribbons,and pearls to them. Also I had great fun naming them all! I named the dolls after my 3 daughters, my 2 grandaughters, my aunts and close friends.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
I love to go to  garage sales and flea markets and  find  fabric, buttons, and sewing  supplies.  My mind goes crazy imagining  the  special projects I can make! I have a roomful(literally) of fabric...but i  never seem to have enough!. : )

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
 I  have found  that using facebook , twitter, and pinterest has helped promote my business. I also hand out  business cards at  craftshows and add a few extra to my sales.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love being able to stay at home and make money  while doing something that I love ...SEWING!

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I chose to open  a shop on Crafe Cafe because it is a new venue to  attract attention to my  items. Also, several of my  online  friends were promoting  Craft Cafe so I thought "why not give it a try?"

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
The main advice I have for any one starting out is to get a feel for  what the public wants... will they appreciate  the time and effort that goes into a  handmade item? make sure you  know the  upfront costs of  your products before  pricing them to sell ( and do not  forget to get paid for your time!)

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
MMMMMMM....in 5 years  I would LOVE for "georgiamarbles" to be a household name !!LOL Hey! I can dream can't I! : )

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
I would love to offer a coupon for 15% off in my Craft Cafe shop!!  Please use coupon code BLOG15 during checkout.

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

Be sure to visit Georgia Marbles soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Blog

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - A Penny for Your Thoughts

Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - A Penny for Your Thoughts

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Meet Parrie L. Brooks from A Penny for Your Thoughts (A Penny 4 Ur Thoughts)

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
A Penny for Your Thoughts is the realization of a lifetime love of crafting. As a former Teacher and Trainer with the nickname Penny, I honed my crafting skills creating exemplary classroom decorations and learning tools.  Soon I realized a passion for all types of paper and the wealth of possibilities in its use . Our goal is to create a miniature work of art that serves as a communications vehicle for savvy consumers.

♥ How long have you been in business?
We have been a formal business for five years. Prior to that we provided cards and gift-wrap to close family and friends.

♥ Please describe your business:
A Penny for Your Thoughts is your source for quality handcrafted Greeting Cards and Gift Accessories. We are honored to provide our customers with a variety of Greeting Cards, Note Card Sets, Gift Tags, Gift Bags and Gift Boxes.
Our mission is to remain faithful to artisanal traditions in the digital age.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
Our style is constantly evolving based on inspirational influences in both nature and fabric.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
Our online presence continues to grow as our primary marketing tool through participation in  Facebook,  Pinterest,  Wanelo and  Twitter. We also participate in the Sampler Village. This gives us an opportunity to provide samples of our products to individuals. Quality online  photos of our products is critical, the opportunity to get actual products in the hands of potential customers serves as a bridge from the virtual marketplace to the physical. I also feel a sense of Karma when distributing my card samples. The sharing of my talents is a way to pay homage to a swiftly diminishing tradition, the hand written note.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
As a life long learner, the opportunity to explore new techniques and skills is exciting and rewarding. Also, interacting with fellow artisans online provides critical feedback and support.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
 Craft Café aligns with both our professional and personal philosophies. As an online marketplace, the values of a “brick and mortar” location are evident. Community: Craft Café provides pages for Sellers and Fans as well. Ongoing interaction is invited and encouraged. Swift and courteous Seller support: The Admin Team is “always at the ready” to assist Sellers no matter how comprehensive or minute the concern.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Believe in yourself and your product. Join a collaborative to receive feedback from fellow artisans. Be patient, take the time to learn more about your craft and how to promote your product. In essence you are everything…help desk, marketing, packaging and design department!

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
As Craft Café continues to grow, I see our shop as an integral part of that community. Our partnership with local artisans is inspirational as well. In five years, I see this collaborative as an opportunity to continue to learn from these individuals.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes! Please use Coupon Code: CCFan15 in my Craft Cafe Shop which will give you 15% off your total order!
Effective Date: November 12, 2012 through February  12, 2013

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

Be sure to visit A Penny for Your Thoughts soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Wanelo / Pinterest

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Rhea's Renderings

Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - Rhea's Renderings

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Meet LeAnne Ritter from Rhea's Renderings

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I am a single mom to two beautiful black cats and one sweet little three-legged crazy ginger cat, all are rescues.  I have been making jewelry for myself since I was a teenager.  About 10 years ago I finally decided I needed a source of money for my serious bead habit, so I started selling my jewelry to friends and relatives.  A few years ago I started selling online and I’m happy that I am still doing what I love.  Unfortunately, I do have a full time job to pay the bills, but I still have time to make jewelry when I want.  Other interests include going to the Monterey Jazz Festival every year for the past 15 years or so.  I do some sewing as well, but jewelry is my first love.

♥ How long have you been in business?
I guess if you consider that the first earrings I made were for myself when I was a teenager, we’re looking at about 40 years now.  (Yikes!)  But I really didn’t start selling jewelry until about 15 years ago.

♥ Please describe your business:
I handcraft jewelry of all types.  Creating special custom orders for my client is my favorite thing to do.  I usually make my jewelry out of semiprecious gemstones and sterling silver, using wire wrapping when I can, and adding lots of Swarovski crystal for the bling factor.  I also have branched out into some non-precious metal pieces to try to keep prices down so I can have a variety of pieces that fit every budget.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
I am inspired by beautiful colors of nature and try to follow what’s trending, although I’m not always able to make myself do pieces that I don’t think are particularly lovely or would be something that you would want to wear after the season is over.  What inspires me most is to find a unique focal bead or pendant and start from that point, designing something specific to that focal point.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
What has been most successful for me in the past is “up selling”, by offering matching bracelets or earrings with a necklace, or suggesting something that might look great with a particular piece.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
I love creating something new and fresh, I’m not very interested in copying another artist’s design but I do get inspiration for my own pieces from something that’s already been created sometimes.  Taking an old or broken piece of jewelry that a customer wants to be re-created into something new is one of my favorite things to do.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
I’ve been so impressed by the Facebook group for Craft Café, all the artisans are so willing to help each other out and the Craft Café staff are always available and respond immediately to problems or questions.  You don’t find that at all online sites these days.  Plus I like that it’s new and fresh and has unlimited possibilities for success.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Stay focused on your vision of your business.  It usually starts out slow for most people, depending on how unique and in demand your product is.  I have long periods of time in between sales, but it’s better when I take the time to really market myself and get online and get active in blogs and such to get your name and your shop name out there.

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
As long as I am working my full time job, it’s hard for me to spend the necessary marketing time to really amp up my online sales, but I’d like to think that at some point I could do that and really have regular sales from my shop.  I would like to continue to do some trunk showings as well, which helps to move inventory in between shop sales.

♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, I have added a coupon for 15% off all items in my Craft Cafe Shop that is good through the end of January 2013.  Please use code 15percentoff

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

Be sure to visit Rhea's Renderings soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter

Craft Cafe Artisan Chat - Botanicals for Beauty

Craft Cafe Artisan Interview - Botanicals for Beauty

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Meet Laura Simmons From Botanicals for Beauty

♥ Please tell us about yourself:
Like many other of the newer artisans, I have problems with unemployment.  After 7 years of look and not finding any work with the exception of temporary agencies I decided to finally take the plunge and paid for a 3 level aromatherapy home study course.  This course had lots of information in it about nature's butters and oils plus herbs and included some sample recipes as well.  So that was when I started thinking about selling skin care products and essential oils perfumes, bath salts and bath oils on the web.

♥ How long have you been in business?
Since 2/27/2012

♥ Please describe your business:
My shop contains items most of which have essential oils added to them either for pleasure or skin care.  I started this business after taking an aromatherapy home course which discussed skin care issues a great deal and also talked about the advantages of various butters and oils.  The second part of the course talked more about blends and essential that are helpful for a specific mood.

♥ Tell us what inspires you:
What inspires me to keep going are the people who have told me that they have tried everything else they could find and nothing helped them with their dry skin until they tried my products.  Also I have had feedback from people who have said that they see noticeable results on the 3rd day of using my product.  Unfortunately if not used every day you will not see the same results.

♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
For now it is making friends with my fellow artisans.  I am also working on some research to learn how to be more effective using social networks.

♥ What do you love most about your business?
Actually it's hard to give just one thing that I love the most.  There are two things and they are that I give real value in my creations because everything I sell is concentrated,  nothing is watered down (except the apple cider vinegar toners due to acidity) and because of that my items not only give better results they also last for a longer period of time.  Plus the success stories of people who have been relieved of a skin care problem after trying so many other things.

♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Because the price was so reasonable and I have heard that it is a great advantage if you are among the first to open up a shop in a new venue.

♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
The first thing is to find other artisans that enjoy networking and network with them.  I started a FB share and like group and so now all of us have our items shared by at least 5 other artisans on their social networking sites.  The group is new so it is still small, but I also don't want anyone to have to spend too much time doing the like and shares plus I don't want my members to be thought of as spammers.  If the group gets too big I will end dividing it into two groups.  So can you imagine, the reach we each have now?

♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I hope that I will have 100 items by then and be so busy that I will need to hire some part time help.


♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes, I am offering FREE SHIPPING with the purchase of 3 or more items from my Craft Cafe Shop, please see my shop message for more information.

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

Be sure to visit Botanicals for Beauty soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest