Shop Spotlight: Kathleen Care Jewelry

As we gear up to the Jingle Bash in just 9 days, we're taking a teensy break from our regularly scheduled programming for another Shop Spotlight post. It's been a month or two, so if you're just joining us, let us recap for you!

Etsy Dallas is extremely proud of its members, and this summer, we decided to start a series of blog posts that highlights the various shops that make up our awesome team. We've interviewed some really wonderful makers - all of which you can see here.

This time around, we're showcasing Kathleen Care Jewelry - one of our longtime members.

What year did you open your shop? 2010

What is your shop's motto? Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. The more you leave out, the more you emphasize what you leave in.

What is your favorite item that you sell? My favorite item is my wire-weave earrings with garnets (see below). 

Fun fact about you: My greatest passion in life (besides family) is travel. I get a lot of inspiration from architectural lines. 

How did you get started? I wanted very specific wedding jewelry and couldn't find exactly what I wanted. I decided to make it myself. I designed my wedding ring (but didn't make it myself). I didn't have any experience or classwork in jewelry design and loved what I made. My friends started inquiring about my jewelry and 2 years later, I started my business. 

Anything else we should know? I am a very proud mother of twin girls. There is nothing in this world more important than my girls.

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Thank you so much, Kathleen! We're so happy to have you as a member!

To see more of Kathleen's work, you can swing by the Jingle Bash on November 21st, or you can follow her on any of her social media sites: Facebook // Instagram // Twitter

Shop Spotlight: Lawless Souls

 Hello, again, and welcome back to our weekly installment of our Shop Spotlight Series! This week, we're featuring another new member, Lawless Souls. Nickie Feddersen and Desiree Reid create fun and cute clothing for women featuring music lyrics.

Let's get started!

What year did you open your shop? 2014
What is your shop's motto? Live in the Lyrics

What is your favorite item that you sell? Women's vintage-inspired clothing that is inspired by music.
Fun fact about you: We met in college at Oklahoma State in 1996.

How did you get started? Lawless Souls was born out of a late-night phone conversation of us talking about how many unwearable concert tee shirts we own because they are all ill-fitting and ugly! We set out to create a way for women and girls to express themselves and still look amazing.

Anything else we should know? We both LOVE and are inspired by vintage items - be it clothing, jewelry, or furniture. We are inspired by the same "vintage" music!


Thanks, ladies! Your stuff is really, really great!


To learn more about Lawless Souls, you can check them out on their other sites: Web // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram


 

Shop Spotlight: Unboxed Studio

Good afternoon, everyone! We here at Etsy Dallas hope your summer is going well (it's ending far too soon in our opinion)! But we're also looking forward to crunchy leaves, comfort food, and cooler weather (especially after this past week!). 

We're back with our weekly post in our Shop Spotlight Series. We're so happy to introduce you to Unboxed Studio, a jewelry line designed and created by Jennifer Latham. Jennifer creates unique jewelry for pop culture fans and beyond. 

Beaded Tassel Bracelet

What year did you open your shop? 2014
What is your shop's motto? Fan-inspired jewelry for the modern geek!

Gold Bangle with Wire Wrapped Silver Quartz Stone

I Would Walk Into Mordor Scrabble Tile Necklace

What is your favorite item that you sell? My miniature bottle necklaces.

Miniature Phone Box in a Bottle Necklace

Fun fact about you: I'm a HUGE Dr. Who fan!

Silver Bangle with Wire Wrapped Purple Stone

How did you get started? As a fan of a lot of pop culture, I found there was a huge void of modest and high-quality options out there for an affordable price.


Thanks so much, Jennifer! Your pieces are beautiful!


To find out more about Jennifer, you can also check out her Facebook page.



 

Shop Spotlight: Curious & Fanciful

Hello, everybody, and welcome to another installation of our Shop Spotlight series! This week we are featuring Curious & Fanciful, a truly unique shop with incredible hand-painted and letterpress designs.

What year did you open your shop? 2008
What is your shop's motto? Live Long and Prosper

One of Katrina's letterpress designs.

What is your favorite item that you sell? For my large shows, especially Jingle Bash, I make 4 or 5 glass shadow boxes to sell. They are very unique gifts. I reproduce my feather and butterfly paintings, cut them out, and shape them to look real. I then mount them in hand-crafted glass boxes to hang on the wall. People can't believe they are paper!

A butterfly in-process

The finished 3-D paper butterfly

Watercolor feathers

What is a fun fact about you? I can write with my toes!

Katrina spends much of her free time painting larger canvas pieces.

How did you get started? I grew up in a small town and never had the opportunity to be involved in art classes because my electives were filled up with band and journalism. When I moved to Denton to study interior design at UNT, I learned that I had quite a bit of catching up to do. I had always loved doodling, but never considered it my calling. Suddenly, I was immersed in fine arts classes studying drawing, design, and computers in art, model making, color theory, and print making. I even did some study abroad in the Czech Republic to learn about Mucha, Art Nouveau, and architecture. I also learned a lot about beer, and got engaged!

When I returned home, I decided to change my major to Art History, and began planning my wedding. I fell head over heels for letterpress wedding invitations and HAD to have them. Better yet, I had to make my own. Better yet, this is what I could do after college! One thing lead to another, and before I knew it, I had convinced my future husband and father to take a road trip to Kansas City to purchase a Chandler & Price letterpress made in 1897.

I graduated with a degree in Interdisciplinary Arts & Design Studies because I truly studied a little bit of everything to try and find my niche. What I found was that I am passionately curious about learning new art mediums. I am curious and fanciful, and my shop is all about different types of art and what you can do with a little bit of practice and courage.


Thanks so much, Katrina! What a wonderful insight into your life as an artist. We're so glad to have you along as a team member!


You can find out more about Curious & Fanciful on her social media sites: Twitter // Instagram // Web // Blog

Shop Spotlight:EstieMade

Another Monday, another Shop Spotlight post! This week, we're featuring Etsy Dallas Team Member EstieMade. Esther Kao, owner and designer, creates unique, modern, and versatile jewelry pieces that will last you a lifetime.

EstieMade Aquamarine Half Moon Ring

What year did you start your shop? 2011

What is your shop's motto? Simple + wearable jewelry that is elegant enough for everyday wear.

EstieMade Dainty Tourmaline Rope Ring

What is your favorite item that you sell? Rings!

Fun fact about you: I rarely buy clothes - I spend my money on jewelry supplies instead!

EstieMade Geometric Stacking Bracelets

How did you get started? My first jewelry pieces were necklaces for my bridesmaids in 2009, and from there I got hooked on making jewelry. 

EstieMade Hand-Textured 14k Gold Stacking Rings

Anything else we should know about you? I have a background in graphic design and advertising, which has come in handy for developing my Etsy shop and branding.

EstieMade Triangle Malachite Necklace

Thank you so much, Esther! Your pieces are truly beautiful, and we're proud to have you on the team!

If you would like to know more about EstieMade, you can check out her other social media sites. And I definitely would, if I were you - she's usually posting some killer sneak peeks of upcoming designs and behind-the-scenes shots of her process!

Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Web

Shop Spotlight: Expressions Bracelets

Hullo, and welcome back to our weekly Shop Spotlight series! We are so proud of all of our team members and are thrilled to continue showcasing their amazingness.

This week, we are highlighting Expressions Bracelets. Owner SaRatta Reeves is a Jack (well, Jane)-of-all-trades with a tangible love for life and helping others. She sells unique, personalized jewelry with the intention of helping the wearer express his or her true self.

What year did you open? 2012

What is your shop's motto? Freedom to Express Your Style

What is your favorite item that you sell? Personalized engraved cuffs.

Fun fact about you: I am a spoken word artist (poet).

How did you get started? After experiencing two corporate layoffs within two years, I began looking for a different career. I created bracelets for my niece's Autism Walk, and since they were a big hit, I turned it into a business. A portion of our sales go to Autism Awareness.

Anything else we should know? I spent ten years as a public speaker.


Thanks, SaRatta! We love your pieces and your mission -  thanks for being a team member!


You can follow Expressions Bracelets on the following social media sites:
Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Blog

Shop Spotlight: Whipped Up Wonderful

Hullo, and welcome back to the official Etsy Dallas blog!

It's Monday, and you know what that means! Today, we're continuing with our weekly Shop Spotlight series with Whipped Up Wonderful. Alexis Strickland, owner and maker, makes unique and fun handmade soaps, bath bombs, and other skin care goodies.

Alexis Strickland, owner

What year did you open? 2010
What is your shop's motto? Creating spa-quality bath treats with a conscience.

Aphrodisiac Bath Bomb, with notes of grapefruit, lemon, mandarin, and green tomato leaf.

What is your favorite item that you sell? Bath bombs of all colors and fragrances.

A custom gift box.

Fun fact about you: I'm a part-time art teacher and sweet tea enthusiast.
How did you get started? The short story? Boredom. Never leave me alone with a book on making your own soaps and bath products. Companies get founded, and things get messy!

Lavender Dreams Bath Bomb topped with organic lavender buds.

Anything else we should know? Each item is made with a genuine focus on ingredient sustainability and biodegradability. I use locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible and make a point of supporting other local businesses and charities.


Thanks, Alexis! I can only begin to imagine how amazing your studio smells with all of these goodies lurking about.

You can follow Whipped Up Wonderful on Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter.

Have a great week, everybody!

Shop Spotlight: Precious Little Tot

Happy Monday, everyone! Today, we're continuing our Shop Spotlight series with Precious Little Tot. Owners Jaclyn Kostrzewa and Julie Boldt design and make modern baby accessories for moms, including diaper bags, diaper clutches, and teething blankets.


What year did you open? 2012
What is your shop's motto? Products designed by two moms for the modern mom and baby.

The Black Arrow Diaper Bag

What is your favorite item that you sell? Our diaper bags and clutches.

Fun fact about you: We have a fabric obsession!

Precious Little Tot wares in action.

How did you get started? We started in 2012 for fun as a hobby, and it slowly built from there. My main motivators to make products were my two kids.

Gray Arrow Diaper Bag

Chic wares for the modern mother.

Anything else we should know? My business partner is Julie Boldt, who is located in Chicago. She handles all of our marketing.


Thanks so much, ladies! For more information about Precious Little Tot and some behind-the-scenes shots, you can follow them on the following social media sites: Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // Web

Shop Spotlight: Off Avenue Studio

Hullo, everybody, and welcome back to our Shop Spotlight series!

This week, we're featuring the ever-awesome Off Avenue Studio. Teresa Wyatt makes gorgeous botanical-inspired prints and cards. You can also check her out on Facebook for a further glimpse into her shop and process.

Teresa in action!

What year did you start your shop? 2013
What is your shop's motto? Images from nature that can only be captured once.
What is your favorite item that you sell? Monoprint note cards.

Some of Teresa's colorful and unique monoprint cards.

Fun fact about you: I love to get cards in the mail!
How did you get started? I couldn't find Mother's Day cards that I liked, so I made my own!
Anything else we should know? The botanicals that I use for my prints are all local - mostly from around White Rock Lake.

Thanks so much, Teresa!

Shop Spotlight: The Pig and the Peacock

We are so excited to begin a new series highlighting the awesomeness of our Etsy Dallas Team Members! Each week, we will interview one of our members and showcase what makes them so special. Keep your eyes peeled - there are some really great things coming your way!

First up is The Pig and the Peacock, owned by sisters Sabrina and Jenny. They are currently running a crowdsourcing campaign on Etsy to help fund the introduction of their DejaVino Wine Bottle Candles. Click here to see the campaign and show support!

The Pig & the Peacock DejaVino Wine Bottle Candles

What year did you start your shop? 2008

Jenny & Sabrina's Studio

What is your shop's motto? Beautiful hand-crafted soap

Chamomile & Calendula Soap

What is your favorite item that you sell? Red Tea & Lychee soap (but the soap guns are most popular!)
Fun fact about you: We are both figure skaters and science/math geeks!
How did you get started? We started by making bath salts for a friend's gift, and it exploded from there.

Lavender & Mint Lotion Bar

Anything else we should know? Our shop is named in memory of our grandparents. Our grandfather raised pigs, and to class up the place, our grandmother raised peacocks.

All-Natural Body Butter

Thanks so much, ladies, and good luck on your Fund on Etsy Campaign!

For more info about The Pig and the Peacock, you can follow them on any of these social media sites: Instagram // Twitter // Facebook // Etsy Shop // Blog