Captain's Message: You Matter to Him

Maybe Matilda - PDF Crochet Pattern on Etsy

Well team, here is a long overdue Captain's Message. I asked for ideas in team chat about Conference talks that lifted you up - You Matter to Him, by Dieter F. Uchtdorf was suggested and I really, really loved it. Here is a selection from the talk:

"....No matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, or how little your calling in the Church may appear to you, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you. He knows your humble heart and your acts of love and kindness. Together, they form a lasting testimony of your fidelity and faith.
….please understand that what you see and experience now is not what forever will be. You will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain, or discouragement forever. We have the faithful promise of God that He will neither forget nor forsake those who incline their hearts to Him. Have hope and faith in that promise. Learn to love your Heavenly Father and become His disciple in word and in deed."

I really encourage you to read the whole talk here; it is wonderful!

Enjoy the rest of your Holidays - I will do one more Captain's Message before 2012!

- Rachelle

Icons - Make it and Use it!

Have you noticed the nifty little icons that a lot of web pages have next to their tab?  Blogger has a white "B" in an orange square, Gmail has an envelope with their "M" incorporated, and Flickr has two little dots next to each other - blue and pink.

This option is not just for fancy, big-name companies!  Even small business entrepreneurs, family blogs and any body can have their own icon.

For some web hosting sites, you'll need to switch to .ico format.  I love this site (http://favicon.htmlkit.com/favicon/) for converting an image from my computer into a .ico image.  This is also known as a FavIcon image.  If your web hosting requires an .ico image, any other format will not work (ex: .jpeg, .bmp, .png, etc.).  They have a video how-to if you need any help.  It will save the image to your downloads on your computer - and completely free!

Other web hosting sites (I know Blogger is this way) actually don't accept the .ico format (or they convert it on their own).  This shouldn't be a problem, though, because they accept the common image formats, like .jpeg, .png, or .bmp.

Okay, now how to make it?  Here's how!

1. Find or make an image that would work with the theme of your site or blog.  It needs to look good at tiny sizes, so don't pick anything too complicated.

• Don't pick photos - they don't look good when they are tiny!  Trust me, I tried.
• Use a Letter (that's what Blogger, Etsy, Google, Facebook, and Pinterest all use!)
• Or a Simple Drawing (not too many lines or fine details.  Images lose their quality in .ico format, so the simpler the better!)
• And Use Bright, Bold Colors (So many big businesses use bright primary colors to get attention.  It's a well-known advertising trick.  Even online it's good to be bold - think of Flickr, Twitter, and again, Blogger, Etsy, Google, Facebook and Pinterest.  What do they have in common? Bright, bold colors.)

Here are some pics I compiled (in Paint - nothing fancy!)

2. Next, you'll need to make sure that your image is perfectly square.  If you're in Paint, Picasa or PhotoShop, you can edit the pixels.  These instructions are for Paint:

• Click on Resize
• When the window opens, select Pixels
• Make sure the pixel numbers are equal.

I recommend somewhere between 100 sq. pixels and 400 sq. pixels.

3. If you are using a web hosting site that needs .ico format, it is now time to use the nifty tool at the FavIcon site.  It's very simple!  Again, if you need any help, they have a video to help you out on their main page.
If your site doesn't use .ico format, then go to step four.

4. Now it is time to upload!  You'll need to use the browse function to find where you saved the image.  In Blogger, it goes like this:

• Go to Layout
• Select Edit in the Favicon box (it should just be there - you don't have to add it as a gadget.)
• Upload the image.
• If this is your first time ever uploading, it shows up pretty fast in the tab.  However, I've noticed that sometimes it can take a few hours for a revised or different Favicon to show up in your tab.

5. Make sure you save any changes you have made, including the change of uploading an icon! 

Get "My Etsy" on Your Facebook Page

This article I wrote is very helpful, but I've realized that some of you have found a hurdle that you can't jump!

"My Etsy" is an application that you can add to your Facebook Page and can be very nice - unless you can't get it to work!  I've found that some people have Secure Browsing enabled in their privacy settings, and that setting doesn't allow My Etsy to connect.  Here's how to navigate the maze of Facebook and get My Etsy onto your page! (click on any image to enlarge!)

Log into your Facebook account.

In the upper right hand corner there is a little arrow facing down (same place that gives you the menu with the Log Out option). Click on the arrow, click on Privacy Settings.

Scroll down to Apps and Websites and click on Edit Settings. In the Apps You Use section click on Edit Settings.

 

In the menu on the left, click on Security.

Check your Secure Browsing - if it's enabled My Etsy won't work. Click Edit.

You'll have to disable it (I think you can re-enable it after you've added My Etsy. It just doesn't want to add it while it's enabled!).  Un-check "Browse Facebook using secure connection (https) when possible" and click Save Changes.  It will now say that Secure browsing is disabled. 

  

From here, you can type in My Etsy in the search bar. The app will be a selection. Click it.

 

Click Add To My Page.

 

If you are an admin on multiple pages, you'll need to choose which one. Click Add My Etsy.

 

It will then take you to the Wall of your Page. Click on My Etsy in the menu on the left.

 

You will need to enter in your Etsy username.Click Submit.

 

Decide if you want to show your favorites or just your own shop.  I did just my own shop for my page.  Click Create My Etsy Tab.

 

It's ready to go!  To see it, click on the My Etsy tab in the menu on the left!

Any other questions or problems?  Mention them in the comments and I'll see what answers I can find!

Captain's Message: Of Things That Matter Most

Eternal Round, Textured Logan Temple Portrait, by lighttotheworld on Etsy

Recently the Etsy team page discussions have centered around balance in life and time management. There is no easy answer to the question, "How do I achieve balance in life?" It does help to start with a good spiritual foundation when approaching the solution to this - and other - life questions. For more wisdom I turned to remarks from Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor of the First Presidency, in his talk titled, "Of Things That Matter Most" given in the October 2010 General Conference.

"If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.

My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Let us be mindful of the foundational precepts our Heavenly Father has given to His children that will establish the basis of a rich and fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happiness. They will teach us to do “all these things … in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it is expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby … win the prize.”

Brothers and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world. That is why “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, … that [we] may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins.” In the complexity, confusion, and rush of modern living, this is the 'more excellent way'."

I encourage you to read the entire message, found here.

Perhaps it is important for you to honestly evaluate your spiritual foundation before you create a schedule. Decide what your priorities are before you create a schedule so it may reflect those priorities. And don't forget to periodically re-evaluate your priorities and schedule, especially in the beginning of implementing any structure or changes! It is my hope that your spiritual foundation will allow you all to find the "balance" you seek.

Best Wishes,

Rachelle

Team Member Interview: sarahndipities

Sarah Anderson of Sarahndipities on Etsy

Name: Sarah Anderson
Location: Mount Pleasant, UT
Etsy Shop: sarahndipities
Website: www.sarahndipities.etsy.com
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sarahndipities/
Blog: http://sarahndipities.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sarahndipities1

Rachelle: Tell me a little about yourself.
Sarah: I'm a stay-at-home mom of five children, and I'm married to a wonderful school teacher husband. We live in the small town of Mount Pleasant, in a 114-year-old Victorian farmhouse, and I love it here!

Right now I'm the Primary Chorister in my Ward....I love it! I've been the chorister several times during my adult life...and I used to be an alto...but after singing Primary songs every week, my voice has changed!

I have my degree in Graphic Design and Illustration from what is now Utah Valley University (back then it was still UVSC). It's been a great degree to fall back on...and has helped out a ton with PTA projects and parade float designs. Seriously.

Rachelle: How would you describe your work/shop? Who should definitely stop by?
Sarah: I make lots of fun crocheted items like hats, scarves, and shawls. I like to make things that people will actually use and wear. I also love to sew and embroider, and make and sell small toys and ornaments using felt and floss. I've recently started crocheting toys for my own children and may give that a go at some point, too!!

Sarah's favorite item from Sarahndipities

Rachelle: What brought you to Etsy?
Sarah: One of my husband's colleagues asked if I ever sold my creations...She mentioned Etsy to him as a great place to sell things online. About a year later, after we moved to Mount Pleasant, I decided that I didn't have anything to lose...The only person who was missing out on an opportunity was me...so I stopped worrying about what people would think, and I started my business!


Rachelle: What keeps you motivated?
Sarah: I have craft ADHD. I can't stick to making one single kind of thing for too long or I go nuts! I think that changing things up often really helps me to stay motivated with the business side of things! Plus, I never run out of things to do. Boredom just doesn't happen here.


Rachelle: Any tips for other sellers or things you wish you had known when starting?
Sarah: Be patient and be consistent. Things don't happen overnight, and they definitely don't happen without consistency and effort! Don't get discouraged and don't give up! Sometimes things don't go your way...just hang in there. And be nice to others. Even when you don't feel like it.

My favorites from sarahndipities on Etsy

Rachelle: What are your three favorite Etsy shops?
Sarah: One of my favorites is ArtisanMaskers - sort of shameless self-promotion here. The shop is technically run by my sister! She and my other sister, a sister-in-law, a cousin, and a couple of friends make and sell papier mache masks there! It's a really fun (and different) outlet for my creativity...and I recently began creating digital collage prints to sell in the shop as well!

I also love EmmaLamb
- Vintage and retro inspired crochet items with lovely colors!

And I also really enjoy TwoEms
- Fantastic collage paintings with wonderful colors!

Rachelle: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Sarah: Oh, man. In ten years I'll have a 20-year old, an 18-year old, a 15-year old, a 13-year old, and a 10-year old. I suddenly feel old myself! I hope to have a happy family and comfortable home life. I hope to be continuing to have fun and having creative outlets. And to still be sane. That would be good.

How to Manage an Effective FACEBOOK Page

As I’m sure you’ve noticed, just about every business has a Facebook Page.  Businesses don’t have a page just because it’s the popular thing to do; it’s a way of getting into the world of your potential customers.  A Facebook Page centralizes quick links to your main website and contact info, it showcases desired photos, and can even connect customers who can share personal stories of success with your product.  Best of all – it’s free!
All you need is a little bit of time to set up the page and then spend a few minutes a few times a week to check how things are going.

Facebook Page Set-Up

If you want a Facebook Page, but don’t have one yet, here is a great link specifically for Etsy Sellers.  Be sure to set up your “MyEtsy” section.  Here’s what mine looks like:

Click Image to Enlarge

The MyEtsy application shows your banner with your shop items.  If they click on an item, it will take them directly to the item’s listing in your shop at Etsy.  Also, if a page visitor clicks on “Share,” then their Facebook post will include a link to the same item’s listing at Etsy.  Handy, don’t you think?
When you have at least 25 fans, you can get a shortened link address.  This makes it much easier to share your site address.  When logged into Facebook, go to http://www.facebook.com/username.  Select the Page that you are giving a username.  If you click “Check Availability,” it will automatically assume you want it if it’s available, so be sure to pick something you like and can easily remember.

Regular Check-Ups

Now you’ve got a page. 
Here are some tips of what to post and how to encourage visits and comments on your page.

• Post Lots of Links
• Etsy Treasuries (featuring you, one’s you like, some you’ve made, etc.)
• Blog posts (if you keep a blog, this is a great way to announce that you’ve posted something new!)
• Blog features (include links when other blogs are featuring your shop)
• New Items in your shop
• New shops (promote friends, family and fellow-sellers!) – tag their Facebook Page in your post by using the “@” symbol just before their page name

Click Image to Enlarge

• Showcase “1000 Words” (Photos) – Pictures are a great way to get people to look!  For most people, it seems to be easier to process photos than reading words.
• New items
• New logos
• Current Items (sometimes posting a photo of an item that’s been sitting in the shop can give it new activity.  Better yet, post a new photo of the same item)
• Plans – sometimes you can spark interest by sharing a photo (just give them a hint, not the whole plan!) of something you’ve got in the works

Click Image to Enlarge

• Be a Person, Be Personable
• Respond to comments left on your page in a timely manner. 
• To quickly check if anyone has made a comment, click on “Notifications” in the menu on the right side of the page. 
• If there is anything new, there will be a number (how many notifications you have waiting) that will be floating at the end of the word “Notifications”
• Be friendly
• The Etsy world gives us a unique opportunity to give personalized customer service even to people across the world
• Show that you care about them as a person as well as a potential customer
• Share Success
• Ask select customers if they wouldn’t mind taking a photo of the item they purchased from you and linking it to your page.
• They can also share by uploading a photo to your page

Click Image to Enlarge

Those are the three main things that I do to keep my page engaging.  I’d love to get more ideas!  If you do something on your Facebook Page that works, please leave a comment and share with our readers!

......................................................................................................

www.annavirginiafashion.com

www.facebook.com/annavirginia

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Captain's Message: Despite Adversity, Be of Good Cheer

Source: PlumStreetPrints on Etsy

The Church website features a small page titled "Despite Adversity, Be of Good Cheer," featuring quotes by the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Here is a selection from Elder Robert D. Hales:

“In the school of mortality, the tutor is often pain and tribulation, but the lessons are meant to refine and bless us and strengthen us, not to destroy us,” Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles says. “There is nothing that we are enduring that Jesus does not understand, and He waits for us to go to our Heavenly Father in prayer. I testify that if we will be obedient and if we are diligent, our prayers will be answered, our problems will diminish, our fears will dissipate, light will come upon us, the darkness of despair will be dispersed, and we will be close to the Lord and feel of His love and of the comfort of the Holy Ghost."

I hope that when you read this short message you will feel the Spirit confirm the truth. It is so vital to know that Jesus understands everything we experience, and that our Heavenly Father is waiting for us to communicate with Him through prayer. They love us unconditionally and want our growth and happiness.

Please read the Church website page, "Despite Adversity, Be of Good Cheer." Be uplifted and have a wonderful week!

- Rachelle

Team Member Interview: RedSnake

Sara of RedSnake on Etsy, and her adorable dog Lizzie

Name: Sara Haubrock
Location: Richmond, VA
Etsy Shop: www.RedSnake.etsy.com
Pinterest: pinterest.com/redsnake/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Snake/120825211339274?sk=wall
FYI Blog readers: There's a coupon code on her Facebook page for 10% off in her shop!

Rachelle: Tell me a little about yourself:
Sara: I lived in northern California until I was almost 12, and in Richmond, VA since then. I'm 28 (29 next month!), still single, and working full-time as an admin assistant in a mortgage company. I've been a big-time animal-lover since I was little (that's my dog, Lizzie in the photo with me), and I got my Bachelor's degree from BYU-Provo in Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation in December 2005. I'm also a bit of a tree-hugger, so I try to make my jewelry-making hobby as eco-friendly as possible by avoiding waste and always reusing packaging material. In recent months I've started learning how to do needle-felting, kumihimo braiding, and loom-knitting. At various times throughout my life, I've also dabbled in horseback riding, ballet, modern dance, painting, drawing, and gardening.

Rachelle: How would you describe your work/shop? Who should definitely stop by?
Sara: My jewelry designs currently include a range of styles, from edgy, modern, or a little bit goth to delicate, feminine, and pretty. My inspiration comes from lots of different places, including favorite tv shows (Abby of NCIS provides lots of inspiration!), things I see in a magazine, or favorite finds on Etsy. Because of that variety, I think everyone should definitely stop by! I try to keep my prices affordable, too, and I'm planning on adding a lot more new stuff to the shop over the next few months.

A selection of my favorites from RedSnake of Etsy

Rachelle: How did you pick your Etsy name?
Sara: Hmm, good question! It's a pretty boring story, actually. When I was first trying to decide on a shop name, I had a pet Beta fish who was a beautiful bright red color. I happened to be watching him swim around his tank while I was thinking about a name, and I came up with idea of naming the shop Red Fish. But I wanted something unique, so I searched Etsy for shops with "redfish" in the name,and it turned out that there were several that already had that name. So then I decided to change it to Red Snake, because I've had a soft spot for snakes ever since I worked as a reptile keeper at BYU's life science museum. I loved that job!

Rachelle: What brought you to Etsy?
Sara: I don't specifically remember how I found Etsy, but I stumbled onto it a couple years ago when I started playing around with jewelry making. I knew very quickly that I had found the perfect way to fund my new jewelry-making addiction - open an Etsy shop and sell my creations! Etsy makes it so easy to do and there's a great sense of support and encouragement from the Etsy community. I'm definitely still learning as I go. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) joining Etsy only created more new addictions for me - shopping on Etsy, creating treasuries on Etsy, and otherwise playing with all that Etsy has to offer! It's proven to be an expensive but fun part of my life! So far, I definitely spend more money than I make on Etsy, but I think it's worth it for the enjoyment I get from it!

Rachelle: What keeps you motivated?
Sara: Truthfully, I think it's mostly the innate human desire to create. I believe that we as human beings and children of God have a deep innate urge to create something that wasn't there before, especially something beautiful or useful. It's part of our divine nature. So that's what drives me a lot. I think I crave that sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing a finished product that I've made. I've also recently joined several Etsy teams, which provide a lot of motivation and encouragement in the form of advice, compliments, and support from teammates.

Rachelle: Any tips for other sellers or things you wish you had known when starting?
Sara: I recommend getting involved and connecting with other Etsy users. For me, that meant joining a few teams, which I didn't start doing until recently, and it's definitely improved my Etsy experience. The key is finding the teams that are right for you. Good choices are ones that you have something in common with, whether it be location, types of products you sell, or religion. It's also important to read the team's rules and browse their discussion threads a bit before joining, to get a feel for what the team is like, what activities they have going on, and to make sure you're comfortable with the level of involvement required by the team.

Other good tips are to always work on improving your product photography (mine still needs a lot of work, but I'm trying!) and use tags well, both on your products and on treasuries you create.

Sara's Favorite from her shop, RedSnake

What are your three favorite Etsy shops?
How in the world can you choose just three??? I have dozens of favorite Etsy shops and all of them are amazing! But for the sake of this question, here are the three I've chosen to share:

· Yes and Amen - www.etsy.com/shop/YesandAmen (I kid you not, whenever I'm depressed, I go browse this shop or her blog. All the cute pictures of adorable little lambs inevitably make me smile!)

· Real Butterfly Gifts - www.etsy.com/shop/REALBUTTERFLYGIFTS (the products in this shop offer a gorgeous up-close look at the miracle of nature)

· Ginaminda - www.etsy.com/shop/ginaminda (I have a bit of an addiction to fingerless gloves, and this shop has a great selection)

Rachelle: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Sara: Hopefully, in 10 years I'll be happily married with a couple of cute kids, working as a full-time stay-at-home wife and mom, but I would have said the exact same thing if you had asked me this question 10 years ago, and I don't seem to be any closer to achieving that dream now than I was then. So you really never know what life will throw at you. But ideally, that's where I'd want to be, and I'd also love to have some free time to work on arts and crafts and play on Etsy, and while I'm dreaming, I'd also like to have a couple of dogs and a pet snake and a comfortable house with enough land to have a large fruit and vegetable garden and maybe a few alpacas, and the time to take care of it all! But if none of that happens in the next 10 years, then wherever I am and whatever I'm doing, I'd really just like to be able to say that I don't have any major regrets. As long as I can know that I'm living the way Heavenly Father wants me to, then I'll be ok.

Captain's Message: The Virtue of Kindness

Image from persimmonandpink on Etsy: 5x7 giclee print

As I have settled into my new role as the Captain of the LDS Etsy Team, I have been thinking about what is needed to do to organize things. Some “house-keeping” needs to be done for the team (and will always need to be maintained!) With a team so large and diverse, it can be overwhelming to identify a direction or purpose. Luckily, I have other Team Leaders to help me, and through speaking with them and personal thought, I feel compelled to share this message which is about the Church, but I also feel applies to the Team:

“The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father.

Each one of us will travel a different road during this life. Each progresses at a different rate. Temptations that trouble your brother may not challenge you at all. Strengths that you possess may seem impossible to another.

Never look down on those who are less perfect than you. Don’t be upset because someone can’t sew as well as you, can’t throw as well as you, can’t row or hoe as well as you.

We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

One way you can measure your value in the kingdom of God is to ask, “How well am I doing in helping others reach their potential? Do I support others in the Church, or do I criticize them?”

If you are criticizing others, you are weakening the Church. If you are building others, you are building the kingdom of God. As Heavenly Father is kind, we also should be kind to others.”

-From “The Virtue of Kindness” by Joseph B. Wirthlin, April 2005 Conference

This message is important; I would like our Etsy team to encourage and build one another with kindness. I would like for us to be a source of strength, comfort, and knowledge for one another. This sort of caring environment will improve our entire Etsy experience, which is my ultimate hope. Please remember that we all travel this road at different speeds and in different ways, but that we ultimately are in this together to help one another.

- Rachelle Sharp, LDS Etsy Team Captain

Spiritual Thought: He Is Risen

I have been thinking about some of the recent tragedy that has occurred in the world, specifically the recent earthquakes in Japan. I am sure you have thought of the heartbreaking tragedy too.

Now the Easter holiday season is upon us and I have been reading about the subject of The Resurrection. Here is a wonderful passage that really touched me regarding both the subjects of tragedy and Resurrection and I hope it will affect you as well.

"Whenever the cold hand of death strikes, there shines through the gloom and the darkness of that hour the triumphant figure of the Lord Jesus Christ, He, the Son of God, who by his matchless and eternal power overcame death. He is the Redeemer of the world. He gave His life for each of us. He took it up again and became the firstfruits of them that slept. He, as King of Kings, stands triumphant above all other kings. He, as the Omnipotent One, stands above all rulers. He is our comfort, our only true comfort, when the dark shroud of earthly night closes about us as the spirit departs the human form.

Towering above all mankind stands Jesus the Christ, the King of glory, the unblemished Messiah, the Lord Emmanuel. In the hour of deepest sorrow we draw hope and peace and certitude from the words of the angel that Easter morning, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said” (Matthew 28:6)."

- Taken from This Glorious Easter Morn, by Gordon B. Hinckley, April 1996

Sunday Spotlight: Maybe Matilda

I love the pictures from this beautiful shop
MAYBE MATILDA on Etsy

www.maybe-matilda.blogspot.com,
my twitter name is @maybematilda,
and my family blog is jeffryandrachel.blogspot.com
maybematildaquilts@gmail.com

How did you get started on Etsy?

I decided to start selling my work on etsy after it started to pile up in my house--I was sewing baby quilts and crocheting baby hats faster than I could give them away or use them! I've loved being able to share my hobbies with others through etsy.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I grew up in New York, got my BA in English from BYU, got married, moved to Iowa for my husband to attend chiropractic school, went to massage school, worked as a massage therapist for a while, and just had my first baby--a sweet little boy who, much to daddy's chagrin, has been modeling my girls' crochet hats since birth. He's definitely earning his keep.

Apart from creating things, what do you do?

Hmm, good question. Are there other hobbies out there? Other than sewing and crocheting, I love baking, reading, thrift store shopping, restoring old ugly furniture and home decor, and am trying to figure out photography. It's a sloooow process.

What first made you want to become an artist?

My mom tried for years to teach me to sew and it was always a disaster. I finally tackled it on my own as an adult and loved it, and picked up crochet shortly after. It's so rewarding to create something and have other people appreciate it!

Please describe your creative process.

My creative process . . . well, it often starts with seeing a picture of something I love but can't afford, and I think to myself, "I wonder if I could make something similar." Being on a student budget has its perks!

What handmade possession do you most cherish?

I completely cherish a quilt my mom made for me when I was a little girl--in fact, it's still on my bed now. And since I quilt, too, I know just how much time and work and love went into every stitch. That quilt is priceless to me! It inspired me to make a quilt for my baby while I was pregnant, and I hope that he'll treasure it just as much.

How do you promote your work?

I'm definitely lacking in the promotion department. I have a rather neglected shop blog (www.maybe-matilda.blogspot.com) and a twitter page (twitter.com/maybematilda), and I sell my work at the Bungalow Boutique on Main Street in Heber City, Utah.

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

Tough question, especially since they change so often.

Top five books of the moment are Peace Like a River, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Poisonwood Bible, Corelli's Mandolin, and Love in the Time of Cholera.

Top five movies: Everything is Illuminated, Lars and the Real Girl, Slumdog Millionaire, Hairspray, and Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (it's dumb, I know, but a classic in my heart).

Top five musicians: Corinne Bailey Rae, Michael Buble, Carrie Underwood, aaaaand . . . hm, I guess it's just going to be top 3 musicians.

Top five websites: designspongeonline.com, oneprettything.com, theboard.byu.edu, creaturecomfortsblog.com, and, of course, I spend way too much time on facebook!

How does your faith influence your work on Etsy?

Definitely haven't considered this before. I guess that I wouldn't have gotten started on etsy at all if it weren't for the creativity and sense of industry instilled in me by my mother, which I have always thought of as very LDS traits.

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

I still consider myself new to etsy! My advice would be to have confidence in yourself--I would (and often still do) feel nervous to put my work in the public arena; it's scary to make that leap and say, "I created this, I think it's beautiful and valuable," without knowing if others will agree. Also, I have met so many friendly, wonderful people on etsy in the forums and teams--don't be nervous to get to know people and make some online buddies!

In ten years, where would you like to be?

No offense to my fellow Iowans, but hopefully not in Iowa. I can't take another Midwestern winter . . . you natives out here are tough stock. I'd like to have a happy family, a cozy home (in a decent climate!), and lots of time for creating handmade goodies!

What is your favorite item from your shop?

My current favorite could be my fingerless gloves (http://www.etsy.com/listing/65042963/burgundy-fingerless-gloves) or the little critter hat (http://www.etsy.com/listing/64489351/custom-crochet-bear-earflap-hat), but I love them all!

What are your top five favorite shops on etsy?

I find myself always coming back to
http://www.etsy.com/shop/fishandlotus,
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Lirola,
http://www.etsy.com/shop/creativethursday,
http://www.etsy.com/shop/RachelleD, and
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ciaobellaphotography

How has selling on etsy changed your life?

I've loved being able to sell my work and get the reassurance that other people love and appreciate it, too, and be able to expand my talents and challenge myself. It's exciting to think that women and kids all over the country are wearing my hats or snuggling in a quilt I created for them. Makes me feel a little more well-traveled :-)