Meet Etsy Seamstress: monsterbugblankets

Jennifer is the hardworking Mom and talent behind MonsterBugBlankets. She has been married for 11 years and has two children —Bug, 3, and Monster, 1. Although she just started sewing in 2000 when her husband bought her a sewing machine, she fell in love with the craft quickly. She started out making skirts for herself and soon progressed into costumes for the kindergarten class she taught. When she learned she was expecting her first child she looked for the perfect bedding. "I searched high and low, and nothing was right for me. So I made (Bug) a quilt," she explains. Then it was onto flannel blankets and what she calls "Tag Blankets." She soon began making blankets for friends' babies and by the time Monster arrived she was hooked. Her ecclectic style has been a Godsend for parents. "I like making blankets that are a bit different than what everyone else has. Not all pink and blue, with teddy bears and bunnies...I figure I can't be the only one who gets tired of all the pastels and primary colors not working with the décor of their home." Thus MonsterBug Blankets was born.
Other creative people inspire Jennifer in her craft. "Their ideas are so amazing. I think about the details of their work, and often new, lovely thoughts come into my head for items I can make," she confesses. "Their creativity fuels my creativity."
Etsy is a hobby for the busy homemaker - she makes her family her priority. "MonsterBug Blankets is a creative outlet for me." She hopes to make enough sales through Etsy and craft shows to afford an embroidery machine. She realizes that in order for Etsy to be lucrative it takes a lot of time, effort, money, and hard work - often more than expected. "Promote on AND OFF Etsy," she advises.

Please check out her Etsy shop: http://monsterbugblankets.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/

Meet Etsy Artist: Erasistible

Ohio artist Madelyn Brazeal is the talent behind Erasistible. She excelled in creative writing and all forms of art. Her home is a creative outlet for her. "I saw one of those people on T.V. paint (their house). It looked easy. I tried it and WOW! I could paint." She started painting furniture and soon after, her own style evolved.

"At first I was scared that no one would like my pieces," she confesses, but her work was selling. "When I sold my first piece, I was so happy. I loved that someone liked my work well enough to give it a place in their home."

Eventually Madelyn purchased an adorable little outfit for a baby shower. "I couldn't find any footware that looked right with it. I got the idea to buy plain white baby shoes and paint something on them. They were such a hit at the shower that other people asked me if I would paint a pair for them. " She approaches her designs without fear. "You mess it up--so what."

"Vintage styles are my first love, but I also try to make my pieces work with current trends." Currently Madelyn works a full time job in retail, but she hopes to make Etsy her career. "My main goal right now for Etsy is to fill my shop with unique, useful, art items that people will want to keep forever. I want them to be the stuff you find in basements and attics 80 years from now."

Her advice to fellow Etsians is simple: "create what you love. Be honest and professional in your transactions. Have FUN!" Check out her shop: http://erasistible.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com