Spotlight Sunday: Artistry by McKenzie G

I was really surprised when taking over the lds etsy team. We have lots of talented sellers. So I asked them a few questions so we could get to know them- and within an hour McKenzie responded with all her answers. She is really on top of things. It has taken me slightly longer to share them with you. I am really impressed with this seller. She sent me some photos of her workspace so you can see where the magic happens.

She is on twitter- follow her here
She is also on facebook
and has a shop blog
and a great personal blog.

How did you get started on Etsy?

I have always loved accessories and when I was looking for some with feathers and things that I loved, I couldn't find any! I am a cosmetologist, and I have always loved to create, so I took it upon myself to create my own!

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am McKenzie Guymon. I have been married for 2 years and am currently living in Salt Lake City while my husband student teaches here! We will be back in Idaho after he is done though. I love to create! I craft a lot and I love to watch classic movies to inspire my work.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

I love doing hair. It lets me be creative and have a little fun while I work! I also love dating my husband! He is the best!

What first made you want to become an artist?

When I was in high school, I used to create little hair accessories each day to jazz up my short hair!

Please describe your creative process.

I usually will take out a bunch of materials and play with them until I love what I am creating. I usually will have a color combination picked out before I start. I love watching classic movies, and Hollywood news shows to get inspired.

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

I would probably have to say the quilts I have that my grandmas have made.

How do you promote your work?

I am on Twitter, Facebook, Blogger, and I also sell my products at Brittany Rae Boutique and Sassarella Boutique.

Name your top five books, movies, musicians, and websites besides Etsy.
Books-

*The Secret Journal of Brett Coulton
*The Hiding Place
*Surviving Columbine
*An Elegant Spirit
Movies-
*A Beautiful Mind
*Little Rascals
*Catch Me if you Can
*Land of the Lost
*New Moon
Musicians-
*Muse
*Danger Mouth
*Glee Cast
*Nsync
*The Sounds
Websites-
*Blogger
*Facebook
*www.houseofsmiths.blogspot.com
*www.sassarellaboutique.com

How does your faith influence your work on Etsy?

I definitely think that my faith has inspired my work because I know that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with the ability to create with my hands. I thank Him everyday for what a blessing it is that I can create.

What advice would you give to artists who are new t o Etsy?

Don't get discouraged if your items aren't selling right away! Just keep adding more items!

In ten years, where would you like to be?

I would love to be a stay at home mom creating accessories that are sold online, and at boutiques around the country.

What is your favorite item from your shop?

My favorite item right now is definitely the Mad as a Hatter Comb.

What are your top five favorite shops on etsy?

* mwallco
* missprettypretty
* TimeToPlay
* SweetLittleJack
* handmadebabylove
They are all so talented!

How has selling on etsy changed your life?

It has given me a lot more confidence in what I create. It means so much to see people buy my items!

Twitter- http://twitter.com/abmckenzieg
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/?sk=media#!/pages/Artistry-By-McKenzie-G/81867567986?ref=ts
Etsy- www.artistrybymckenzieg.etsy.com
BLOGS- www.artistrybymckenzieg.blogspot.com & www.girllovesglam.blogspot.com
Email- artistrybymckenzieg@hotmail.com

Giveaway Saturday: Hair Pins from Shelleanne

CONTEST CLOSED
Once again a great day is upon us. The day of the giveaway. Ok this is only the second time but it's nice to be back, right? I do love a giveaway.
Featuring one of our fantastic members.
This giveaway is sponsored by claireandjanae and is anything in Shelleanne's etsy shop. She has awesome hair pins. I think I have purchased ten million of them. I feel good about myself when I do because I know how much she could use the help. She is my sister.

Plus who doesn't want a little bit of happiness in their hair? I get ENDLESS compliments on these things. She also has some great options for wedding hair accessories.
WIN IT:
Leave a comment for each entry
1. MANDATORY ENTRY (don't do this- and you can't win. and that would be sad.) GO to Shelleanne's etsy shop and comment on which item you would want to win.
2. Extra Entries (leave a comment for EACH ONE)

follow the LDS Etsy blog on Google Friend Connect. if you are already a follower you can comment that you follow.
"Like" us on facebook.
Follow @shelleanne on twitter and "tweet" this giveaway.
Enter our Other Giveaway.
giveaway closes June 5, 2010. If we can't contact you through blogger and you don't leave your email, I guess you didn't want to win anyway.

Want to sponsor a giveaway? Please contact me! We do weekly giveaways on our blog and are always looking for people to feature.

"Doubt Not; Fear Not"

The Apostle Paul taught that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 Faith is a principle of action and power. Whenever we work toward a worthy goal, we exercise faith. I love the idea that Faith is a verb.

Faith is the foundation of each one of our testimonies and we must always "Remember that without faith you can do nothing;" Docterine and Covenants 8:10

"To sustain faith, each of us must be humble and compassionate, kind and generous to the poor and the needy. Faith is further sustained by daily doses of spirituality that come to us as we kneel in prayer. It begins with us as individuals and extends to our families, who need to be solidified in righteousness. Honesty, decency, integrity, and morality are all necessary ingredients of our faith and will provide sanctuary for our souls." James E. Faust, “The Shield of Faith,” Ensign, May 2000

"And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true." Alma 32:21

Our Facebook Page

Empressive designs had the great idea of starting a facebook page for the LDS members of Etsy. So HERE it is. Please like our site and let your friends know about it!

Our Facebook Page should have important info about our group- what we want to do and any contests individual sellers are having. (I do love a good giveaway). The First Contest: Get to 500 fans. If you "like" our page on facebook and come back to the blog and leave a comment you will be entered to win a contest for a 20 dollar gift certificate to Amazon.com.
the comment obviously has to have a way of contacting you. If you were referred by a different LDS Etsy team member you should write their name down too! They might win a prize for being so awesome.

Thanks for your patience and support as we get more established as a team. We are building our own little Zion on Etsy after all.

• Disclaimer: the only thing you have to do in order to win this contest is "like" our page on facebook and leave a comment here. You do not have to be a member of the LDS church or be part of Etsy. We would like it if both were true.

• Multiple Entries will disqualify you.

• Extra Entry- follow our blog and leave a comment that you do
  

• Contest Closes once we have 500 "likes" on facebook. Invite all your friends! You can get multiple entries when someone else mentions your name in their comment.

• Winner will be chosen randomly within 24 hours of contest closing.

Welcome to our first giveaway!