EtsyChai

Announcing the Team EtsyChai's First Treasury Contest Winner

noreply@blogger.com (GoofingOff) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:36:00 +0000

Woo Hoo! We have a winner! The treasury that won our first contest is (drumroll please..a few horns would be nice, too):

'EtsyChai Jewish Lifecycle Event Gift Ideas' by lindab142

Chai Chamsa agru $18.00	Jewish Rocking Chai... EisnerArt $49.00	Handmade Bronze Sta... anjalicreation... $25.00	Red & Gold Star of ... gsager $20.00
Hand knit kippah wi... kippahmitzvah $22.50	Handmade Judaica Co... norunningwiths... $40.00	Star of David Trink... CeramicsbyMarc... $10.00	Wedding or Annivers... bbesigns $4.00
Chai 5 Knit Mugrug blazingneedles $4.00	Alef Beis Jewish Mi... PetitsTresors $250.00	Judaica challah cov... SabinaFashions $135.00	PASSOVER seder plat... downtoearthcre... $18.00
Judaica Havdalah Se... OyClayPottery $72.00	Judaica ACEO Shema RuthFiberJudai... $20.00	Jewish Holiday Neck... lindab142 $18.50	Mezuzah Cover - sto... ClayMystique $25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

No speech, thank you. Just enjoy the beauty. (blushing a little for Linda). lol
Post by Eileen Patterson aka GoofingOff

Meet Our Team Members Shana, Greg Sager, and Adam Rhine

noreply@blogger.com (GoofingOff) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 13:46:00 +0000

Sometimes I feel like a social director. Introductions, invitations, parties, and food are my game. Pick a day and I’ll work on the menu. After all, I work enough, I need to have a little fun now and then. So here's now, a little fun. It’s been a while since we’ve introduced new members so I guess it’s time. Let me introduce y'all to some of our new Team EtsyChai members.

Shana: Shana of Sabina Fashions creates some of the most beautiful challah covers you will ever see. Absolutely stunning. She calls her shop Sabina Fashions after the lady she was named after, Sabina, her grandmother’s sister."She was killed in the Holocaust by the Nazis. She says "Whenever I make something, especially a Jewish item, I do it in her honor, to remember Sabina." The Nazis might have killed her, but her memory lives on and the Jewish people live on and we are stronger than ever." She goes on to say "When I sell a Judaica item, my heart sings because I know it will be used at a Shabbat table that the Nazis tried to destroy." Here’s an example of her work:

Greg Sager: Greg is an elementary and Hebrew school teacher from Massachusetts. He learned to crochet at summer camp 15 years ago and he’s been carrying around a hook since. His kippot (that’s yarmulkes, y’all) are amazing. Check out this one (my personal fave). His designs are original. He even did a Harry Potter one. Each kippah is a work of art.

Adam Rhine: When I first saw Adam’s shop, Hebrew Art, I was dumbstruck. Could not get a word out past oohs and ahs. It is that beautiful. From his profile, Adam is “an artist who has been creating ornate, highly detailed Judaica watercolor paintings since 1999. His style is heavily influenced by medieval illuminated manuscripts which he combines with modern palettes and aesthetics.” In other words, gorgeous. Here is Tzedakah.

Incredible work from three very talented people.

Post by Eileen aka Goofing Off. You can call me Goof.

Gifts for the Jewish Wedding

noreply@blogger.com (GoofingOff) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:45:00 +0000

'Jewish Wedding Gifts' by lindab142

Gifts for the Jewish bride and groom - for their new home or for the bride to wear on her wedding day, or to give to her bridal party as gifts.

Challah Serving Pla... CeramicsbyMarc... $48.00	Judaica challah cov... SabinaFashions $130.00	Mezuzah Cover - Xav... ClayMystique $25.00	SALE Green Kiddush ... agru $18.00
Judaica Havdalah Se... OyClayPottery $72.00	Judaica Home Decor ... beadsofparadis... $19.00	BELOVED small norunningwiths... $60.00	Bless this house, w... yafitglass $21.00
Chai 5761 - Life - ... HebrewArt $36.00	Knit Shabbat Challa... blazingneedles $20.00	Woman's Gold Bu... Accentricities $38.00	Beaded Kippah Silve... lindab142 $40.99
Swarovski Bridal Ro... lindab142 $71.28	star of david beadw... downtoearthcre... $18.00	A star shall come f... lightofzionjew... $48.00	Silver Plated Brace... anjalicreation... $30.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

EtsyChai Treasury Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Linda B) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 13:57:00 +0000

EtsyChai is having a Treasury contest. Tell everyone to vote for your favorite in the right sidebar. EtsyChai is starting Treasury competitions. Check out our blog for voting information on January 22 at http://etsychai.blogspot.com

Treasury #1~EtsyChai Jewish Lifecycle Event Gift Ideas
by lindab142

Chai Chamsa agru $18.00	Jewish Rocking Chai... EisnerArt $49.00	Handmade Bronze Sta... anjalicreation... $25.00	Red & Gold Star of ... gsager $20.00
Hand knit kippah wi... kippahmitzvah $22.50	Handmade Judaica Co... norunningwiths... $40.00	Star of David Trink... CeramicsbyMarc... $10.00	Wedding or Annivers... bbesigns $4.00
Chai 5 Knit Mugrug blazingneedles $4.00	Alef Beis Jewish Mi... PetitsTresors $250.00	Judaica challah cov... SabinaFashions $135.00	PASSOVER seder plat... downtoearthcre... $18.00
Judaica Havdalah Se... OyClayPottery $72.00	Judaica ACEO Shema RuthFiberJudai... $20.00	Jewish Holiday Neck... lindab142 $18.50	Mezuzah Cover - sto... ClayMystique $25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Treasury #2~Etsy Chai in Aqua
by bbesigns

Woman's Teal Ki... Accentricities $38.00	Star of David Trink... CeramicsbyMarc... $10.00	Judaica Challah Cov... SabinaFashions $150.00	star of david beadw... downtoearthcre... $18.00
SALE Green Kiddush ... agru $18.00	Scottie Terrier Ill... acacheofjewels $7.00	Hand knit kippah wi... kippahmitzvah $22.50	Buried Treasure Sil... anjalicreation... $28.00
Turquoise Gemstone ... lindab142 $6.00	At the Sea, 3D Mixe... PetitsTresors $60.00	Blessing For Boys B... RuthFiberJudai... $19.20	Baby dragon TraceyLipman $25.00
Blue / Green Varieg... gsager $20.00	Personalized Golf C... blazingneedles $55.00	BOB DYLAN - LARGE 2... EisnerArt $45.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Treasury #3~It's all about Love
by ClayMystique

Ahava - Love - Juda... HebrewArt $36.00	SALE Calla Lily foc... TraceyLipman $10.00	Tropicbird Mug agru $23.00	Accent Pillow, thro... SabinaFashions $50.00
Heart Plate in Pass... CeramicsbyMarc... $22.00	Cactus- Yarnius Cr... blazingneedles $15.00	Dog Snood for Long-... acacheofjewels $14.00	Yellow Sunflower or... lindab142 $9.00
Necklace and earrin... TheCreativeBlo... $65.00	Almond Blossom Hanu... OyClayPottery $72.00	MENORAH - 16 x 12 ... EisnerArt $35.00	Woman's bugle b... Accentricities $38.00
little Cloud Cozy H... ooty $14.00	Mother-of-pearl sli... Meredithbead $32.00	Valentines Day CHAR... sewstacy $25.00	Polymer Clay Focal ... PenelopeStern $9.95

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Treasury #4~Tu B'Shvat,The Jewish New Year for Trees
by beadsofparadiseshop

Family tree of life... yafitglass $130.00	Eco Friendly Save t... bbesigns $5.00	Judaic Greeting Car... anjalicreation... $6.00	set of 5 leaf magne... ClayMystique $20.00
GOLDEN LEAVES green... downtoearthcre... $36.00	TROPICAL PALM TREES... EisnerArt $35.00	SALE Green Brown an... TraceyLipman $30.00	Tree of Life Blank... AnotherCreatio... $6.00
sprig earrings hook... markaplan $25.55	Leaning Birch and O... jerise $400.00	Shin Tree of Life N... aimeegolant $252.00	Hamsa Tree of Life ... LeaJoelleHandm... $5.00
Tourmaline Tree of ... beadsofparadis... $30.00	Mazel Tov, Mazal To... BoldFolds $15.00	MAGEN DAVID. The St... karniart $1720.00	Rainbow Mandala-Pri... LauraBolterDes... $15.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

The Totally Awesome Team Etsy Chai Weekly Treasury Contest

noreply@blogger.com (GoofingOff) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:43:00 +0000

I am so excited. Our team, EtsyChai that is, is going to have treasury contests. Yup, you read it right, treasury contests. Team EtsyChai is having a contest to choose a favorite treasury each week and we need your help to decide our team treasury winner. Our winner will have an item from their shop included in all the treasuries for the following week.

Here's the deal:
Members can post treasuries from Sunday to Tuesday noon (Etsy time). Voting takes place until noon on Friday. We will announce our winner on Saturday night (or Sun. afternoon).

The contest just started and the treasuries are gorgeous with a big "G." Wait til you see them. Oh, sorry, that's my job. Posting the treasuries, I mean. Well, since I am a little late letting everyone in on the contest, voting starts Sunday and will go on until Friday. Oh, yeah, I said that. Anyway, check out the treasuries. I'll be posting them.

Bye y'all!

Post by GoofingOff aka Miss Eileen

Mezuzzahs: On the Door Posts of Your House

noreply@blogger.com (GoofingOff) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 04:05:00 +0000

'Mezzuzah from Team Etsy Chai' by Goofingoff

The mezzuzah reminds us of G-d's presence and His commandments. Here are some beautiful mezzuzahs from Team EtsyChai to place "On the doorposts of your house."

Fused glass Mezuzah yafitglass $35.00	Soccer football sports mezuz... TraceyLipman $30.00
Mezuzah Case TraceyLipman $30.00	Football Sport mezuzah cover TraceyLipman $30.00
Mezuzah TraceyLipman $30.00	Mezuzah TraceyLipman $30.00
Baseball mezuzah sport TraceyLipman $30.00	Golden Collaged Mezuzah on E... norunningwiths... $25.00
Ceramic Mezuzah Case in Jade... CeramicsbyMarc... $22.00	Shaddai - Jewish Mezuzah Cov... OyClayPottery $63.00
Silver Plated Charm Bracelet... anjalicreation... $25.00	Wine Mezzuzah Case ReneesNeedle $72.00
Mezuzah Cover - Xavier's... ClayMystique $25.00	Happy mezuzah yafitglass $35.00
Mezuzah Cover - stoneware wi... ClayMystique $25.00	Silver Plated Charm Bracelet... anjalicreation... $25.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

A Taste of Torah - Parsha Shemot

noreply@blogger.com (Linda B) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:50:00 +0000

This week's Torah portion is the beginning of the book of Exodus which details the enslavement of the Israelites.

Pharaoh first accuses the Israelites of becoming too numerous, then sets fiscal oppressors (sarei misim) over them, and only after that does he choreograph a policy of murdering male Israelite infants. Each pharaonic gesture represents the increased embitterment of Israelite lives. How may we better understand this subtle descent to enslavement?

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch explains:

The first taxes (misim) they had to pay as citizens are mentioned in Exodus 1:14. The Israelites still retained their rights, but had to pay for their right to protection by special levy of a labor-tax . . After that, they were degraded to slaves: creatures without any right of appeal or redress for any wrongs committed against them. It no longer says that “Pharaoh oppressed them” but states that the “Egyptians oppressed them.” In other words, the people received the right to treat them as slaves. Then the third degree was added, that the Egyptians “embittered” their lives . . . The root and beginning of this indescribable maltreatment was strangeness (gerut), the supposed lack of rights as a foreigner. That is why the laws of Torah concerning the rights of foreigners offer the profoundest contrast to all other national laws up to this very day . . . The degree of justice in a land is measured not so much by the rights accorded to the native-born inhabitants, to the rich, or people who have representatives looking after their interests, but by what justice is meted out to the completely unprotected “stranger.” (Hirsch, Commentary on the Torah: Exodus, 9)

As Jews in the Diaspora and in Israel, we must never forget the historical lesson of Egypt rooted in this week’s parashah. May we all internalize Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch’s teaching: “The degree of justice in a land is measured . . . by what justice is meted out to the completely unprotected ‘stranger.’”

Shabbat Shalom!

*Source: A Commentary by Rabbi Matthew Berkowitz, director of Israel Programs, JTS

Posted by Linda Blatchford

More Latke Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (GoofingOff) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:03:00 +0000

Here's a recipe from Meredith Laskow of Meredith Bead using Daikon Radishes in place of potatoes. Great idea for someone on a low carb diet.

Daikon Radish Latkes

2 large (~10" long) daikon radishes, peeled & shredded (food processor, not knuckles)
2 matzos, crumbled OR ~2/3 c. matzo farfel OR crumbled croutons
1 cup flour -- I used rye; you can use whatever.
1/2 TBS paprika
1 tsp. sea salt
pinch of hot red pepper (spice powder, not fresh pepper)
2 eggs

Mix well in a big bowl.

Cover the bottom of a large skillet with oil (I used grape seed oil.) Spoon out latke mixture and flatten. I fit 5 latkes in a 12" frying pan. Heat on medium-high. When the latkes are browned on the bottom, flip and brown the other side.

Option: drain on paper towels.
Yield: 16 palm-sized+ latkes (Also known as fritters, pancakes, or croquets, depending on your background.)

Eat plain; or with any of these toppings: sour cream, yoghurt, apple sauce, chutney, marmalade, fruit compote, or "whatever."

How Do You Make Your Latkes?

noreply@blogger.com (GoofingOff) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:33:00 +0000

I love Hanukkah, and not just for presents. I love latkes. I do. I adore them. I love them enough to grate my fingers while grating the potatoes, cry over the onions, and duck when the oil pops. I even bought a food processor to protect my fingers and a splatter screen for the pan all for the love of latkes. I didn’t know people ate anything else for Hanukkah until my aunt served brisket. Wonderful brisket, so wonderful it almost overshadowed the latkes and that just won’t do. Simple foods to eat on the side of the latkes make me happy because the latkes is the star. Oh sure, I’ve seen recipes for alternatives to latkes, even a fig cake that used a healthy dose of oil but I thought “Why? Why fix something that isn’t broke? Why reinvent the wheel when the wheel works?"

Well, I never gave latke making another thought until someone on the EtsyChai team asked for suggestions to “jazz latkes up.” Hmmm, maybe it is time for me to take a second look at my beloved latke. A bit of brainstorming ensued and here’s what we’ve come up with.
Add grated daikon radish to the potatoes.
Add a little sour cream or cheese like gorgonzola or feta to the potatoes for a little zing.
Add feta cheese, blue cheese, or gorgonzola to the sour cream, or maybe some garlic, chives, or onion.
How about Greek yogurt instead of sour cream? Maybe add Romano or parmesan
cheese?
Make a balsamic vinegar reduction to serve with the latkes.
Make a mixed fruit sauce or pear butter instead of apple sauce.

By the way, here’s Grandma Freida’s recipe, at least how I remember it.
6 large russet potatoes, peeled      2 large onions
2 eggs                             1/2 cup matzo meal
salt and pepper
oil for frying

Grate the potatoes. Place the potatoes in a strainer and let them drain for about 15-30 minutes. Place the potatoes in a bowl. Grate the onions and add to the potatoes. Add the matzo meal, salt, and pepper and mix. Heat the oil in a skillet (approx 350 degrees). Using a large spoon, place the mixture into the oil and flatten each pancake. Fry on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the oil and place on paper towels to drain. Serve with apple sauce.

Now that’s Grandma’s recipe but you can use any of our ideas. Let me know how it comes out.
Enjoy, or as Grandma would say, Es gesunta hait!
Post by Eileen Patterson aka Goofing Off.
GoofingOff Sewing Supplies, that is.

Meet Leslie Sirag

noreply@blogger.com (april) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 15:21:00 +0000

Leslie Sirag has two (count 'em, two!) Etsy shops -- The Creative Block and Findings by Leslietsy. One shop seems to feed into the other, with The Creative Block featuring Leslie's work, including steampunk Judaica, jewelry, and art dolls. Findings by Leslietsy seems to have a bit more Judaica (chais, hamsas, mogen Davids) than The Creative Block, as well as plenty of charms, pendants, and new and vintage findings.


Emma Art Doll Spirit from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

Leslie's friend, and another Etsy seller, Laura Bartlett, suggested Leslie give Etsy a try. As a result, The Creative Block opened in 2006, with Findings by Leslietsy following in 2008. Not long after, she joined Etsychai. When asked how long she's been an Etsychai member, she answers quizzically, "Unsure. But I think since 2008 or 9?"

Leslie tells us, rather than consciously choosing a craft, her craft chose her. "I've made dolls and jewelry as long as I can remember."

A woman of many skills, Leslie has also knitted, woven, and crocheted. Outside the fiber arts, she's also worked with clay, both handbuilding and throwing on the wheel. As if that isn't enough, she has also made china and porcelain dolls.

Steampunk Judaica Earrings

To continuously come up with ideas, Leslie uses just about anything for sources of inspiration, "materials, stories, nature, (and) other people's work."

When inspiration just isn't happening, she sorts her work materials and tries to organize her workspace, since she always finds "great stuff". If she's at a standstill, she makes a series of something simple, such as earrings, to keep her local selling space supplied. That local selling space, by the way, is a coffee shop in Olympia, WA, which she says works better for her than any store she's ever sold in.

She also does a few arts and crafts fairs annually, to round out her sales. But she admits she'll be cutting back on the fairs, since they are "too much" for her overly busy schedule.

Vintage Chai Pendant Assortment

Living in an area with few Jews, Leslie finds Etsychai, to some extent, fills her need for a Jewish community. She expands her virtual community with membership in at least eight other Etsy teams. She tells us, "There may be more; but those are the ones in which I actually participate, at least from time to time."

Even with her admittedly "poor" management of time, she also works hard at promoting her shop. How?

"I list or reslist items frequently. I'm experimanting with etsy's new search ads, which seem to help Findings a bit, but get The Creative Block fewer hits than when I don't use them. I hand out a LOT of cards locally, at craft fairs and at the coffee shop that sells my work. I of course enclose a card with every order I fill. I have the monthly drawing on the Findings FB page. I post treasuries, some new items on my FB page & occasionally to freinds. When I have time and energy, I post work in progress on my blog--also commissioned work. I don't do enough social networking, but it already cuts into work, sleep, and reading time."

Which does she find most successful? "Frequent listing and relisting at various odd hours."

Wing and a Prayer Earrings

Her advice to Etsy sellers is lengthy, but worthwhile, "Don't list everything at once: if you're listing a bunch of work, do one every half hour--you get more views that way, Take the best pics you can, & redo from time to time. Use all 5 you're allowed--it keeps people on your page longer, which apparently makes them more likely to buy. Remember that that little square is what someone sees to click on--make your main piuc for each item yell. It doesn't even have to be the best one overall--just one that screams "look at me!" List and relist as often as possible, and if something hasn't sold by the end of a listing, change the lead photo. Ask all your freinds and relatives to visit your shop, click on and favortie items--this improves where you show up in google listings.Join a couple of teams--at least one local & one (or more) special interest."

She stresses photos are important. Her preferred camera is her Olympus Camedia 7000D, a simpler camera with a fairly decent close-up lens. For her supplies shop she prefers simple black and white backgrounds.

She tells us, "I've just purchased a little photo lightbox/studio from Anne Keller-Smith, a member of Etsychai, and am beginning to be able to use it to improve my pics."

She's still trying to figure out the best way to hang long necklaces for optimal photography. Any suggestions?

Color Blind Hummingbird Finds Nectar in Dark Blossoms Necklace

Leslie has an enormous online presence. You can find her on her Blog, Facebook, on CouchSurfing.com as Leslie Sirag, and on several yahoogroups.

Check out her shops! You might just find something perfect for someone else (or even yourself!).

Chain of Hamsa

-- Post by April Grunspan of AgruArts

Hanukkah Chanukah Candle Lighting Website - Live 12/20

noreply@blogger.com (Linda B) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:36:00 +0000

Hanukkah starts at sundown on 12/20. If you're still looking for gifts, see our team shops and ask the owner to expedite the order.

Happy Hanukkah

This is a press release from the Israeli Ministry of tourism.

Website visitors can light candles, learn about Israel
and win a free trip

New York - December 14, 2011: To mark the upcoming Chanukah holiday, which begins on the evening of December 20, the Israel Ministry of Tourism is re-launching its popular Chanukah microsite where visitors can log on and light virtual candles for each night of the eight-day holiday, also known as the "Festival of Lights." The site was developed in 2009 to gauge the interest of online users. The Chanukah website was developed in cooperation with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and will "go live" at www.goisrael.com/Chanukah on December 20, 2011. The landing page is up now where participants can register and learn more.

With each candle "lit," visitors to the Chanukah website will be able to access more information about travel to Israel, with a particular focus this year on Israel's diverse museums and major cultural institutions. And at the end of the holiday, site visitors who have lit all eight candles will be entered to win a free trip to Israel aboard EL AL Israel Airlines, to experience the country's many areas of cultural, religious and historical interest for themselves.

"The site is much more than a way to win a trip to Israel--it provides a unique tool for visitors to learn more about exciting sites in Israel, as well as the history and meaning of Chanukah," says Haim Gutin, Israel Commissioner for Tourism, North and South America. "And we are delighted to have the backing of the Conference of Presidents, as well as EL AL, for a promotion that links celebrating Chanukah with vacations in Israel."

For more information, please visit: www.goisrael.com.

Received by email - posted by Linda B, lindab142.etsy.com

Meet Anne Keller-Smith

noreply@blogger.com (april) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:29:00 +0000

Anne Keller-Smith is the owner of Down to Earth Creations, an Etsy shop selling Hebrew name bracelets, dreidel and menorah charms, kippot (yarmulkes), and Judaica wine charm sets. Having majored in Anthropology, Anne's style has an earthy feel to it. She refers to her work as "natural, gypsy, folksy, hippie..."
In addition to Anthropology, Anne also took many courses in the Liberal Arts, a contributing factor to the art she creates today.

Eshet Chayil Bracelet

How did she begin creating jewelry? Anne tells us, "I fell in love with crystals and silver all of a sudden, and couldn't stop working with it."

Today she continues to use sterling silver, Swarovski crystals, glass from the Czech Republic, and has added pewter, copper and other interesting materials into her pieces. Pewter and copper were added partially due to cost considerations, since sterling silver has become prohibitively expensive for some Etsy customers.

Hashamayim Kippah

Anne joined Etsy in 2007 when she found out about it from a friend who was also a vendor. A couple of years later she joined the Etsychai team. Even though she's a member of a couple of other teams, she admits she's more active with Etsychai.

"Etsychai is a wonderful, energized, friendly, haimish Jewish group and, since joining, my sales have increased! So I'm a fan!"

Sterling Silver Dreidel Earrings

Of course, getting the word about her shop out there doesn't end with Etsychai. She also promotes using Facebook and Twitter, makes treasuries in Etsy, and will sometimes blog. When asked about which tool seems to be the most successful, she confesses, "Facebook was pretty successful for me. But I haven't spent enough time on my Creations page. I always end up on my personal page."

In addition to her Etsy shop, Anne sells her jewelry at a local handmade gallery and, as if all that selling isn't enough, she also designs websites.

How does she budget her time? Another confession: "Badly!" (We completely understand!)

Hebrew Letters (Custom) Bracelet

As we like to do with all our interviews, we asked Anne for advice she could pass along to other Etsy sellers. The first part is directed at newer sellers. She tells them, "Be very careful to plan to be sustainable from the beginning. In other words, charge four times your supply cost. This covers your materials, labor, advertising, and overhead. If you don't, you'll start resenting how little you're making and won't continue."

She continues, "Make sure you find a unique niche. It's the only way to get seen on Etsy, because Etsy is too big now."

We also asked her about photography, a key ingredient in any listing. "I use a second hand EZ cube light box with two to three lamps surrounding it. I move the lights around my object. Sometimes I take photos on the patio -- silver likes natural light the best. Crystals like the artificial light."

She goes on, "I use a $200 Canon SX-110 with a decent macro lens. I get right up on top of my pieces and try to crop in really close. For my first pic I try to get a really interesting shot that shows how unique the piece is: a unique angle, a unique reflection, the shape of it. For my second pic I get the whole item from above. Third and fourth are other angles a person might experience while using the piece. The fifth is either the piece being worn or the packaging I use."

Passover Wine Glass Charms

For the upcoming holidays, and your gifts list, Anne has some fabulous pieces, and they can still reach you in time!

-- Post by April Grunspan of AgruArts

Meet Penny Stern

noreply@blogger.com (april) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:04:00 +0000

PenelopeStern is one of our "homeys" as an artist residing in Ra'anana, Israel. She describes her shop as a "fun, colorful place, full of unusual and one of a kind pieces." Just one visit and you'll see this is a completely perfect description. She works in sterling silver, polymer clay, semiprecious stones, and yarn.

Sterling Silver Flower Bracelet

Her love of creating began with her late mother, who not only encouraged her to excel in school, also took the time to do crafts with Penny with household items such as cereal boxes, toilet rolls, paint and, in Penny's words, "lots of glitter."

Knitting since she was 5 years old, Penny found she hated being idle, so she also began studying silversmithing once a week for the last 3 years. As for polymer clay, she admits that is mostly self-taught, although she's attended workshops by local and international artists in recent years.

Sterling Silver Garnet Pendant Necklace

With so many crafts, and so little time, Penny is honest about having difficulties budgeting her time. Her goal is to create a few new items a week, photograph, list and promote. "But what with housekeeping, cooking for the family, trying to fit some exercise in every day, running errands, etc., it doesn't always work out." (We understand completely, Penny!)

She found out about Etsy when she was on a polymer clay website forum and noticed many of the members were discussing their Etsy shops, so she decided to investigate. One thing led to another and she joined Etsy as a seller in December, 2007.

Knit Ruffle Scarf

As one of the original members of Etsychai, she tells us why this team is important to her, "Etsychai is important to me as I enjoy feeling part of a community, especially one that has Jewish content. The group is not too big, which means that I can have a sense of who everyone is here, and hopefully vice versa. The team works very hard at promoting each other, and I enjoy seeing what everyone makes, especially in their Judaica sections."

Inspiration for Penny is no problem. She tells us, "Inspiration is everywhere! I can't get my ideas out fast enough! Magazines and craft books are a huge inspiration. Having a mooch around all my supply shops really gets my creative juices flowing."

Polymer Clay Chamsa

With a strong presence on Etsy (in addition to Etsychai, she belongs to five other teams), as well as memberships in Facebook, Twitter, and a strong presence on the Etsy forums, she finds her most successful sales tool is still the simplest: proper tagging of her items.

As usual in these interviews with our members, we asked Penny for her advice to new and current Etsy sellers, since you can never have too much of a good thing.

For new sellers, she recommends spacing out listings to one or two new items a day. She says, "Don't expect your sales to really get going until you have about 100 items in your shop.I think that it is also a really good idea to write a blog, something which I hope to start doing in the coming year."

As for her photos, she had a novel approach to this most important aspect of selling on Etsy, "I had a professional photographer come to my studio and show me how to use the available light, set up a background and figure out the right settings on my camera. This helped me enormously."

Penny is also fortunate enough to have her work exhibited and sold in the Cecilia Colman Gallery in London. We're fortunate enough to have her on Etsy, so we don't have to travel thousands of miles to purchase her wonderful work.

Smoky Quartz and Garnet Sterling Silver Earrings

-- Post by April Grunspan of AgruArts

Handmade Hanukkah Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Linda B) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:40:00 +0000

Here's a Hanukkah collection of items in an EtsyChai Treasury selected by Eileen of Goofing Off so you can finish your Chanukah shopping.

Click and see the wonderful handmade items here

Thanks, Eileen.

Meet Christine Lumbroso

noreply@blogger.com (april) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 15:36:00 +0000

When I look at Christine Lumbroso's Beads of Paradise shop it makes me think living next to the Mt Hood National Forest probably contributes a good deal of inspiration to her life and work. She moves from medium to medium, sorking with silver jewelry, watercolors, and handpainting breadboards. When asked, she speaks about her shop's diversity, but says her favorite common thread is, "I LOVE bling! BLING BLING BLING!"

Blue Moonstone Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Pendant

A typical story from many Etsy sellers, Christine has been making art since she could work, always going to arts and crafts stores, working on projects being promoted at the time. She says, "I never had the opportunity to officially study art; but I pick every artsy brain that I come in contact with, I read library books about art, and I check out classes on the web. I am always learning."

Her love of jewelry making began because she wanted some pieces that were real and not made in China. She made a few items for herself and found people wanting to purchase them from her when she wore them. After doing some research, she found wholesale sources for her supplies and began wearing and selling her pieces.

Polished Glass Judaica Bracelet with Hamsa

Making art connected her to other artists which, in turn, made her interested in other forms of art. She began playing with pen and ink drawings, oil painting, and watercolors. So, in addition to her ever evolving jewelry designs and materials, she's recently added painted wooden breadboards and prints of her paintings as cards to her shop.

Chanukah Kislev Original Watercolor Print

In 2009, Christine's daughter introduced her to Etsy, and she's been buying and selling on it since then. Soon after that, she was invited to join the Etsychai team. Shen speaking of EtsyChai, she says, "EtsyChai has been my mentor, my Etsy parents. When I first started, I had no idea of how things worked, and the team has been such a big help in teaching me the ropes, and all about promotion. I LOVE being part of a great team of artists!"

In addition to Beads of Paradise, Christine also sells show dog leashes made of kangaroo leather and beads in her other Etsy shop Kangalulu. Additionally, she sells jewelry and accessories for dog lovers, tutors children and the disabled, and teaches music classes.As if that isn't enough, Christine and her husband write and perform music with a small band, recently having put out their first CD album.

When asked how she budgets her time, she admits, "I am terrible at budgeting anything...especially time! I find my artsy self with my head in the clouds tending to do what I feel like doing whenever I can get away with it."

However, she sets aside one day a week for art after she's done her basic house chores to "keep my family happy."

Carnelian Sterling Silver Wire Wrapped Ring

As with our other featured artists, Christine has valuable advice to other etsy sellers, new and old. For new sellers, she advises, "Patience, patience, patience. Just keep plugging and join a team!" She also says, "I think it has helped me to have a variety of different items of varying prices, so there is something for everyone."

When asked about photos, she concurs with everyone else saying, "Make sure to have good pictures!"

We asked her to elaborate, and she did, "I asked some of my fellow Etsy folks that had good pictures and someone recommended that I get a good camera with a SUPER MACRO. He pointed me to a refurbished FujiFilm FinePix and this camera has been terrific for me! I rarely even have to touch up the photos, and they are ready to go. I take all my pictures in the morning near my big picture window so I get natural daylight. I try taking the pictures from different angles. I experimented with several backgrounds to find the right thing that will accent the jewelry."

Star of David, Aventurine, & Moss Agate Sterling Silver Necklace

As for the all-important promoting, she gets resutls by passing out her business cards everywhere, does several shows a year, and is an active user of Facebook and Twitter. Happily, she's also a paid member and active participant in EtsyChai. (Thanks Christine!)

As the season of gift giving approaches, visit this, and all the other EtsyChai shops to find that special gift for that special someone.

Braided Kangaroo Leather Necklace

-- Post by April Grunspan of AgruArts

Meet Eileen Patterson

noreply@blogger.com (april) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:20:00 +0000

Not everything on etsy is made by someone else. Eileen Patterson's shop, GoofingOff, gives everyone a chance to find great vintage sewing patterns in one place along with fabrics (especially Judaic ones), and sewing machine accessories. She has plans to branch out into vintage sewing machines soon.

Originally joining etsy to sell handmade jewelry, she found great success when she opened GoofingOff, her second shop, soon after. Although she still makes jewelry (mostly for friends and family), her original shop, Miss Eileen, is now a vintage shop specializing in Pyrex, Fire-King, and other vintage glassware.

Fat Quarters Ancient City Fabric

Her interest in sewing began when she took sewing classes in junior high school. However, she admits she is really self taught. When she speaks of sewing, she says, "When I sew I like the challenge of using scraps of fabrics from leftover projects, remnants of new fabrics, and castoff clothing from consignment shops. I enjoy bringing new life to these materials. Sometimes a dress becomes a tote, a pair of worn out jeans becomes pot holders, or a scrap of fleece becomes a hat. I love a challenge."

Vintage 1941 Pattern

Eileen was one of the first original members answering the call to form Etsychai, the Jewish Street Team on etsy. Of Etsychai, she says, "EtsyChai is my link to the artistic Jewish community. Belonging to EtsyChai allows me to express and share my creativity and exciting finds with others."

In her "other life", Eileen practices tikkun olam (literally, repairing the world) as a critical care nurse in the VA system. She tells us, "Nursing is doing a mitzvah (good deed) every day and getting paid for it.....Working critical care is helping a person and their family get through a very difficult time of life.....I am very lucky to be able to do what I do."

Fat Quarters Dreidels Fabric

With all that she does, she makes her crafting work time non-negotiable. Fortunately, her husband is also a crafter, working with metal and fiberglass; so he provides a fortunate mix of help and understanding.

Inspiration for Eileen comes from history books and Haggadahs (the book read at the Passover ritual meal). She also loves old movies since they help her learn about the fashions of the day. Something that comes in useful when she goes out looking for vintage patterns. But, when all else fails, she goes for a walk in the woods to enjoy G-d's creations.

1964 Barbie Wedding Gown Pattern

When asked if she has any advice for other etsy sellers, she said, "If you have an idea, try it. Be courageous in your art and craft. Believe in yourself. If the idea doesn't work though, move on and try something else. Promote. Don't be shy about your work. Some of my best customers and friends who like my work or come up with ideas and challenges for me. Be open to new ideas. The little old lady at the yard sale supported her family by selling handmade doll pillows and pin cushions at the flea market. I might not use her designs, but I love her attitude and work ethic."

As for photos, she suggests good lighting with a white background and white backdrop that reflects enough light to make a flash unnecessary.

Vintage Pyrex Cups and Saucers

You can also find Eileen on her blog, where she searches for new shops and shops with fewer than 500 sales to feature. She's also on Artfire, Facebook and Twitter.

Hanukkah Fabric Pack

-- Post by April Grunspan of AgruArts

Meet Lindab

noreply@blogger.com (april) — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 15:48:00 +0000

If you're looking for hand crafted jewelry and really lovely women's wire beaded kippot (yarmulkes), Lindab has the etsy shop for you! Working with semiprecious gemstones, swarovski crystals, glass beads, wire, images, and fillings, she creates wonderful gift items for her shop, be it gifts for yourself or for others.

She's been an etsy seller for so long she can't even remember exactly when she began, although she thinks it was somewhere around 2003.


Silver Wire with White Beaded Kippah

When asked how she got started, Linda explains, "I went to a Jewish women's event about Queen Esther and we made bracelets while listening to a speaker." Her interest piqued, then "I went to a few wire wrap and beadweaving classes by independent artists." But, she admits, she is mostly self-taught.

In addition to all her artistry, she also works full time at a professional organization, claiming, "It interferes with my creating." In spite of this, she still finds time to prioritize everything in her life and get things done. She says, "When I’m not at work, I’m usually promoting online, creating, photographing or listing new jewelry creations. My cats insist on petting time sometimes, which is good because then I take breaks. My husband sees all my designs, and sometimes tells me, 'it’s not balanced or looks weird' – he usually is right so then I make adjustments. I’m not very good at budgeting time for housework or paperwork; then it piles up and I tackle it. For example, I’ve been online today since 9 am and it’s now 1 pm and I’m still in my jammies."

Blue Lapis Dreidle Earrings

As if her jewelry isn't enough, Linda also makes greeting cards and offers tutorials in her shop as well as doing two to three shows a year (cut down from six to eight).

Linda's inspiration comes from "The Jewish charms I buy, the gemstone shapes and colors, the seasons and, less frequently, I modify a design from a beading magazine."

Facebook Tutorial

When asked how she promotes her shop, she stresses posting items in team threads, blogging, on Facebook, and using Twitter. As for which is most successful, she tells us, "Blogging gets me a lot of views, Facebook has resulted in a few orders; posting in active team threads gets lots of views because we all promote each other. I’ve gotten a few sales from team threads, too."

She also wears her jewelry to work and her kippot to synagogue, getting orders this way as well. Linda also shows friends new pieces to get their feedback. As a result, "One friend has purchased a lot of items and asks me to create some earrings in red and loves my designs."

Vintage Silver Chai Earrings

A long time member of Etsychai, Linda tells us why. "EtsyChai lets me express my Jewishness, a natural part of me, and share my Jewish creations and knowledge with team members and others. I’d also like to share some of what have been my successes in the future."

In addition to her 3+ years of membership in Etsychai, Linda also belongs to seven other teams through etsy.

Always generous with her time and advice, Linda offers some to current, new, and prospective sellers:

Name your items how a buyer would search for them. Repeat this title in the first line of your description and in tags.
List a new item every day and promote it on Facebook, Blog and Twitter.
Promote another (any) team member on your blog or Facebook.
Join a team and participate, the more you promote others, the more you are promoted in return. At least, do 1 thing for your online shops every day.

As for advice for photographic your items, she empathizes, "Oy! Photos are a constant challenge. I do mine inside with 3 lights and white poster board. I usually photograph on a white or black background, so my jewelry or kippot don’t compete with a background. I take lots of photos of the same items. I do it quickly, so I take at least 8 and sometimes 3 are blurry and they have to be reshot. I’m terrible at staging, so I don’t bother trying. After uploading to the computer, I use Photoshop to edit my pics."

Double Silver Star of David Necklace

For the Etsychai Miracles of Hanukkah sale, Linda is offering Free U.S. shipping for orders over $10 if you put the code Candles in your message to seller.

You can also finder her blog here, friend her on Facebook, or follow her Twitter stream, or visit her "other" shop here.

Kippah with Copper Wire and Hematite Beads

--Post by April Grunspan of AgruArts

A Great Miracle Happened Here!

noreply@blogger.com (GoofingOff) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 02:44:00 +0000

Need gift ideas for Hanukkah? Here's a wonderful collection put together by Penny Stern titled "A Great Miracle Happened Here!" She even included me, GoofingOff, I mean some of my Judaic fabric! I'm so excited I can't type straight. My head's swelling! Enjoy!

'A Great Miracle Happened Here!' by ClayBeadsAndMore

10 Personalized Chanuk... AnotherCreatio... $15.00	Dreidel Menorah - Hanuk... limoryaron $49.00	Dreidels for Hanukkah F... Goofingoff $3.60
Judaic Greeting Card - ... anjalicreation... $6.00	1200 SHEKELS - 16 x 12... EisnerArt $28.00	Potato Latkes Illustrat... LauraBolterDes... $20.00
Chanukah Gelt Emailed i... agru $30.00	Star Mandala-Print Repr... LauraBolterDes... $15.00	DIY Stamped Fabric Comm... tamdoll $5.00
Hanukkah cards lindab142 $3.65	Prayer for Peace (Viole... RuthFiberJudai... $24.00	Holiday Sale Te Great L... visart $110.50
Hanukkah, Chanukah, Fes... handmadeinisra... $7.00	Chanukah or Hanukkah Me... maybesew $18.00	Holiday Throw Pillow - ... holidaypillows... $55.00
Chanukah - Hanukkah - ... poemweave $8.95

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Meet Tracey Lipman!

noreply@blogger.com (april) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Etsychai is a very eclectic team. Tracey Lipman manages to be eclectic all by herself. Her shop offers handmade handbags, diaper bags, wallets, home decor items and, of course, Judaica. As an added bonus, it also has tutorials on how to make wonderful things with a new fabric hardener called Paverpol.

Tracey, who lives in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Israel, is always busy. She says, "I have more ideas than time to work with them and like to set challenges for myself. I like to learn new skills, work with new materials and explore different techniques." She translates that into having a short attention span. I translate it as being incredibly creative.

Floral Rose Handbag

Tracey is self-taught. In her own words, she "learn(s) by playing." Her crafting began when she decided to challenge herself by learning how to make polymer clay millefiori canes. She googled and experimented, finally finding success. She told me, "A few canes and Google searches later, I found Christi Friesen, who is a very talented polymer clay artist and took a few online classes with her to learn to sculpt polymer clay."

Sheep Menorah

From there she found another teacher in Jossy de Roode, who offered a Paverpol workshop in Israel. Then Tracey played and played until, through trial and error, she developed her own techniques and found her voice.

Paverpol Fabric Mosaic Tiles

She also hopes her late mother (ז"ל) likes what she's doing with the sewing skills she gave Tracey a great love for.

Zippered Diaper Bag

Her shop's progression to its great variety of items and materials wasn't always this way. She began by concentrating on items made with polymer clay. Then she re-discovered her love of fabric. In her own words, "I love taking a flat piece of fabric and making it into a beautiful, functional item, such as a bag or wallet, and then have fun creating tutorials with the leftovers."

Inspiration? She looks to her household, "My kids, what I need to carry their diapers in, what they would like for their room, what makes me feel special when I carry a handbag, what is functional when I need a wallet." And, when she can't find that inspiration from within, she goes to Etsy to see if she can find an online pattern or idea.

Football Mezuzah

To help supplement her Etsy income, she's also working as a distributor for Paverpol in Israel, teaches Paverpol workshops and online. To round out her busy days (and nights), she also organizes local mall nights, where she helps over forty small businesses showcase their wares.

With all this activity, you might ask how Tracey budgets her time? She explains, "My kids come first. Balancing the rest is hard and I don't sleep enough!"
As for her Etsychai membership, we're the only team in which she's a member. In addition to being an active member of this team, Tracey also promotes her shop on Facebook, in local community Yahoo groups, through tutorials and online classes she has listed on external websites. She feels the success of her promotions are dependent on the time of year and the particular time. During the past two weeks, she feels Facebook and local advertising have increased her shop views.

Fabric Bifold Butterfly Wallet

I asked Tracey if she had any advice for new Etsy sellers. Her reply, "Join a team. It's a jungle out there!"

--Post by April Grunspan of AgruArts

Ideas for Hanukkah Gifts from EtsyChai

noreply@blogger.com (Linda B) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 11:10:00 +0000

A member of the EtsyChai team has showcased some terrific Hanukkah gifts.

'Gifts that will Brighten your Hanukkah' by lightofzionjewelry

Chanukah Hanukkah G... beadsofparadis... $10.00	Judaica ACEO SHALOM RuthFiberJudai... $20.00	Happy Chanukkah Car... bbesigns $21.00
Chanukah - Hanukkah... poemweave $9.95	DIY Stamped Fabric ... tamdoll $5.00	ESHET CHAYIL hebrew... downtoearthcre... $60.00
DREIDEL sterling si... downtoearthcre... $36.00	Chanukah Gelt Email... agru $30.00	Chanukah is Here...... AnotherCreatio... $18.00
Judaic Fat Quarters... Goofingoff $5.00	Judaic Greeting Car... anjalicreation... $6.00	Jewish Earrings Han... lindab142 $14.00
Star of David - You... poemweave $9.95	Child's Hanukka... blazingneedles $12.00	Hand knit kippah wi... kippahmitzvah $22.50

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Hanukkah Shopping with the EtsyChai Team

noreply@blogger.com (Linda B) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 04:54:00 +0000

We are a group of artisans who create handmade Jewish jewelry, accessories for your home: such as ceramics, Jewish ritual items, headcoverings or kippot to wear in Synagogue, Hanukkah cards and blessings, Shabbat challah covers, and mezuzot.

Do your Hanukkah Shopping online this year with the artisans of the EtsyChai team. We want to make your shopping pleasant and easy.

'Hanukkah Shopping with EtsyChai ' by lindab142. Beautiful Jewish handmade items from the EtsyChai team that are perfect for Hanukkah shopping.

Prayer Menorah or C... agru $75.00	Happy Chanukkah Car... bbesigns $21.00	Chanukah - Hanukkah... poemweave $9.95
Judaica Mixed Media... norunningwiths... $120.00	MENORAH - 16 x 12 ... EisnerArt $28.00	Silver Plated Charm... anjalicreation... $25.00
Jewish Earrings Han... lindab142 $14.00	Judaic Fabric Fat Q... Goofingoff $5.00	Football Sport Mezu... TraceyLipman $30.00
Knit Shabbat Challa... blazingneedles $20.00	Goblet / Kiddish Cu... CeramicsbyMarc... $36.00	Hanukkah Blessings ... RuthFiberJudai... $24.00
Hand Knit White Yar... kippahmitzvah $22.50	FESTIVALS OF LIGHT ... downtoearthcre... $36.00	Woman's Gold Bu... Accentricities $38.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

Going Green for Hanukkah

noreply@blogger.com (GoofingOff) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 13:37:00 +0000

'Go Green for Hanukkah' by poemweave Here are some beautiful green gift ideas from Team EtsyChai!

Bayou Silk Wrap Bracele... anjalicreation... $32.00	Judaic Fabric- Alexande... Goofingoff $3.50	Tear Drop Shaped Salt a... CeramicsbyMarc... $29.00
Shalom, Hand Signed Unf... AnotherCreatio... $20.00	green lampwork bracelet Accentricities $45.00	Blue, Green and Cream b... ABLET $24.95
Tree of Life Mosaic-Pri... LauraBolterDes... $15.00	Soccer football sports ... TraceyLipman $30.00	Strictly Kosher Scarf -... blazingneedles $18.00
EXOTIC INDIA ethnic boh... downtoearthcre... $18.00	SALE Green Kiddush Cup ... agru $18.00	Malachite Earrings lindab142 $23.00
Concentric Squares Baby... acacheofjewels $6.00	Ba Tampte GARLIC Dill P... EisnerArt $28.00	Tumbler - Spearmint gla... ClayMystique $45.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.