{Artist Spotlight} Sasha's Hand Poured & The Immaculate Beard

Sasha’s booth is full of self care and dynamite holiday gifts, so we know you’ll be pumped to find Sasha's Hand Poured and The Immaculate Beard joining us again for the 2019 Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash. We connected for a quick Q&A just for y’all …

What are you most looking forward to for the Jingle Bash?
Personally I always love shopping our fellow vendors and making new friends at the Bash!!! The shoppers are so enthusiastic for the handmade movement, it always encourages me to keep on doing what I do!!

Is your shop offering anything new, special or different at the Bash?
I introduced Bubble Bath Bombs to the line this fall and am excited to share them at the Bash!

What is your favorite part of prepping for an upcoming show?
Definitely the new product offerings! So fun to experiment and bring the winners to the show!

What makes this event special for you?
The friendships we have made over the years at this event are priceless!! Shoppers and vendors both.

Is there a story behind your business name?
True to the name, every item we make is mixed, poured, packaged, and labeled by hand!!

What is a typical day of work like for you?
Coffee, wake up kids, breakfast, start schoolwork (I homeschool 3 boys!), out to workspace to start checking off the list. I try to always have a plan for the next day waiting when I get out to the workspace.

What is your professional background and how did it lead you to the creative work you are pursuing now?
I have an educational background in chemistry and mathematics which led to working in education and educational software. So basically unrelated except chemistry makes me want to make things so I can feel like a chemist! HA!

How would you describe your shop?
I have Sasha’s HandPoured, which is a handmade line of fun, great smelling bath, body, & home fragrance goods. Then there is the men’s line, The Immaculate Beard, which is intended to help the bearded, AND clean shaven look, smell and feel their very best. My motto is LOOK GOOD, SMELL GOOD, FEEL GOOD!

What do you enjoy most about working with your team?
Learning and sharing experiences. The pros are so willing to help and the new ones are eager to learn!

What do you find the most challenging about your work?
Time management.

Do you have any tips for finding work/life balance?
I wish I did. HA! I do try to have certain times and days totally off limits for working in the workspace. But every fall I break all my own rules. It is a work in progress for me!

Shop from dozens of artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 9. From original art, home goods, and artisanal soaps to local jewelry designers, leather workers and so much more! Check out the event on Facebook here. And find out how to shop the Bash like a pro here. We’ll see y’all at the Bash! 

{Artist Spotlight} Fun Cool Wall Clocks

Denah is another first timer at the Bash, and we’re sure you’ll want to snag a few minutes at the Fun Cool Wall Clocks booth during the 2019 Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash. We gave Denah a penny for her thoughts in a quick Q&A just for y’all …

What are you most looking forward to for the Jingle Bash?
I am new to Dallas and this is my first show since moving here. I’ve participated in many shows, but never one as large as the Jingle Bash! I’m so excited for this experience and to get to meet many new customers.

Is your shop offering anything new, special or different at the Bash?
I will have a 42” diameter mandala clock with me, which is one of my signature designs. It is usually a custom order piece, but I will have one available for purchase that day AND it just may (wink, wink) have a special show price. I will also have quite a few one-of-a-kind coin clocks for sale.

What is your favorite part of prepping for an upcoming show?
I’m building a brand-new display for this show and I’m thrilled to see how it’s coming together.

What makes this event special for you?
I sell primarily through my Etsy shop online, so while I “talk” to customers daily, it is almost always via computer message. I love getting the chance to interact with people in person.

Is there a story behind your business name?
People frequently use the words “fun” and “cool” when they see my work, so it evolved from that. One customer called me “The Bad-Ass Clock Lady” and I was tempted to rename my shop at one point!

What is a typical day of work like for you?
I am an early riser. Since I work from my home, I am often in my studio by 4-5am. A typical week is 6 or 7 12-hour days, but I do enjoy taking a week or two off whenever I have the chance to visit with my two adult daughters. I do occasionally try to work in some time with my husband, two dogs and the gym!

What is your professional background and how did it lead you to the creative work you are pursuing now?
I have a degree in graphic design and worked in advertising for years. After my kids were born, I began working as a commissioned pencil artist and drew homes and churches all over the world. It was great part-time work while I had little ones to care for. After doing that for many years (and also working in the public school system for a while), I needed a change. My husband fully supported my desire to make a go at becoming a full-time artist. I had a vision for a penny clock and just felt compelled to make it. I did and it sold, and then another, and another, and all of a sudden I knew I was on to something. I am continually having new ideas for designs and it is extremely satisfying to turn them into reality. My father was a wood-worker and built clocks for many years. I did not consciously set out to follow in his footsteps, but that is exactly what I ended up doing. He no longer builds, but is great at giving me advice when I need it and it has become a wonderful connection for the two of us. And I have received many free tools!

How would you describe your shop?
Over 80% of my listings are for custom work. I love talking to my customers and giving them exactly what they need. My designs range from rustic to industrial to modern to farmhouse.

What do you enjoy most about working with your team?
I don’t have a team, no employees.

What do you find the most challenging about your work?
Since I do work alone and at home, it can be isolating. Especially since moving to Dallas from North Carolina, it has been hard to connect with others. I do enjoy the Etsy Dallas group and hope to get to know them better as I become more involved.

Do you have any tips for finding work/life balance?
No, I'm not very good at it! I tend to be a bit work-obsessive.

Is there anything you would like to add?
I once had a customer give me a very unusual but extremely flattering review. Not sure if you can use it, but here goes… This lady had been messaging me about one of my backwards clocks for a week or two. She wanted it but was anxious to spend $200 on a clock. But finally, she said “I have been thinking about this clock constantly as if it is a new lover of mine. I must have it.” HAHA and wow!!!! And yes, she did buy it.

Shop from dozens of artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 9. From original art, home goods, and artisanal soaps to local jewelry designers, leather workers and so much more! Check out the event on Facebook here. And find out how to shop the Bash like a pro here. We’ll see y’all at the Bash! 

{Artist Spotlight} Our Interview with April of Mini Muse

April burns the midnight oil to work on her Mini Muse line. Her typical work day begins at midnight and she does all she can until 3 a.m. She describes her shop as fun, lively, one-of-a-kind custom heirloom dolls. 

You’re going to love her adorable dolls, and we know lots of little ones and moms-to-be are going to want these for the holidays. You can choose your perfect Mini Muse at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash, sponsored by Etsy, on November 10 at the Fashion Industry Gallery. We caught up with April for a quick interview. 

What are you most looking forward to for the Jingle Bash?

I can’t wait to meet more Mini Muse lovers. I met so many people at the Spring Bash and received so much amazing feedback that really motivated me to bring out more designs.

Is Mini Muse offering anything new at the Bash?

I will be releasing our new Mini Men line as well as adding a few more animals to our collection.

What makes this event special for you?

I love the holidays. The holiday spirit makes my heart happy.

Is there a story behind your shop’s name?

My daughter’s nickname is Mini. She looks like my husband yet has my exact personality and interests. The nickname Mini fit her perfectly for us. She has been my muse and motivation since day one. Thus Mini Muse was born.

Shop from over 100 artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 10. From original art, home goods, and artisanal soaps to local jewelry designers, leather workers and so much more! Check out the event on Facebook here. And find out how to shop the Bash like a pro here. We’ll see y’all at the Bash! 

{Artist Spotlight} Our Interview with Stephanie of Ox & Pine

Stephanie fell in love with creating leather journals and her passion for making beautiful pieces inspired her to launch Ox & Pine. You can shop the Ox & Pine handcrafted leather goods booth at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash on November 10 at Fashion Industry Gallery in Dallas. 

One of her favorite parts of prepping for a show is planning out her displays so that shoppers can feel and smell them. Ox & Pine goods make wonderful gifts for loved ones on your holiday shopping list. They’re also a wonderful way to treat yourself this season. We caught up with Stephanie recently for an interview.

What are you most looking forward to for the Jingle Bash?

I’m most looking forward to meeting everyone in person. It’s so fun to hear about how a special gift will be given and to add personalizations on the spot to our leather goods.

Is your shop offering anything new, special or different at the Bash?

We’ll have a few new special products available at the Bash this year including our new leather bracelets and leather lanyards – all with personalization options. 

What is a typical day of work like for you?

A typical day involves cutting leather, sewing pages into journals, stamping personalization on journals, prototyping new products, and helping customers with questions. 

How would you describe your shop?

My shop is full of high-quality leather journals and other leather goods that are personalized – perfect for a gift for you or a loved one.

Stephanie said she loves creating products that means so much to the recipients. And she loves getting to work with her hands to create leather goods every day. We think the love she has for Ox & Pine shows and we can’t wait to see her booth at the 2018 Jingle Bash. 

Shop from over 100 artists offering unique handmade wares at the Etsy Dallas Jingle Bash from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on November 10. From original art, home goods, and artisanal soaps to local jewelry designers, leather workers and so much more! Check out the event on Facebook here. And find out how to shop the Bash like a pro here. We’ll see y’all at the Bash!