We’re back!

Hello fellow handmade art lovers! We realize we have been on a bit of a hiatus from this blog. But fear not, we’re back! The plan is to feature 2 stores a week! One on Tuesdays and one. Additionally, if we have any guest bloggers they will be featured on Mondays.   Please refer to ourfor more information on how to bece a featured store. If you are interested in being a guest blogger please email us at allhandmadebymeteam@live.com for more information! We hope to start in the next week or t

Happy Handmade Monday!

Handmade Monday has arrived. A day to celebrate handmade art and support your local and global handmade artists. Please consider making a purchase today! Whether it be for yourself, your family, or your friends, handmade art is sure to put a smile on your face!

As promised, we are sharing some deals going on today:

YouFascinateMeSo – 15% off everything (excludes bridal), free domestic shipping on all sales over $30 (code: Free30)

Freckle Dots – 1 25% off coupon for each quilt size (4 coupons only) – first come, first serve

Check out this post by Stacey at SMART Designs for some more Handmade Monday sales by members of the All Handmade By ME Team!

Please leave a comment and share your Handmade Monday sale!

Handmade Monday

With Handmade Monday approaching fast (November 25th), we’ll be putting a little handmade touch on the blog for the next week or two! Guest bloggers will be featured, sharing what they love about handmade and letting their creativity shine. Starting Monday, the team leaders of the All Handmade By ME Team will be taking over the blog! And be sure to check in on Handmade Monday for a list of some of the specials that shop owners are running in honor of the occasion. Handmade Monday offers a perfect opportunity for some early shopping before the holidays get in full swing this Thanksgiving. Don’t forget that Small Business Saturday follows on November 30th!

So what are Handmade Monday and Small Business Saturday? Check out the posting by our very on Stephanie on her blog The Astral Charm to learn more!

*If you are a member of the All Handmade By ME Team and would like to be featured in this blog (to share a Handmade Monday promo or for a shop feature) please email us at allhandmadebymeteam@gmail.com. Refer to this post for more information if you want a shop feature!

Melgarita

Today’s featured shop is Melgarita, started by Mel in June of 2013. Known for her party famous margaritas, her nickname stuck and became her shop name. Mel designs, sews, and sells handmade purses, clutches, and bags. While she isn’t afraid to stray from her favorite designs, her true passion is her handmade purses, clutches, and bags. A firefighter from Atlanta, Mel now lives with her husband in Parker, Colorado. (the two got married Oct. 27, 2012 – happy belated anniversary!) After the move, Mel wasn’t sure she was fit for the fire service and turned to her hobby. What started out as making a diaper bag for a new mom and other gifts for family turned into her shop and business! But sewing isn’t new to Mel, she once sewed industrial harnesses and equipment for firefighters and rescue personnel. Graced with a large industrial machine, Mel can use heavier materials for her purses such as leather. “What girl can resist a a great pair of shoes and new leather handbag?  Now I get to make the art I like to wear!“

 “The best thing about making handmade art is that each item is unique and special.  It’s also why I was drawn to sell on etsy. I’ve done production work in the past and it was not my forte… I tend to get bored.  Having a background in design (architecture) I’ve always been the designer and creator instead of the mass producer.  I like to tweak new designs and play with material and textures.  It keeps things fresh for me and my customer.“

While some shop owners have favorite items that they sell, Mel’s favorite is every changing. “I really enjoy having each item I start evolve into a functional item. My husband used to teasingly say I was a “bag lady” since I’ve always had totes and pouches to keep things organized.  Now he is truly believing it as I try to create something new everyday.  And yes… some never make it to the shop to sell! 🙂“

Selling: holiday leather clutch.

Melgarita features handmade purses that will surely impress! Mel is also offering free shipping tomorrow, Friday November 15th. Just use code: FREESHIPNOV15 and you’ll find with a lovely, unique bag! Be sure and check out Melgarita! You’ll find something you can’t resist!

Artsy Clay

Today is 11/12/13! And it is also time for another featured shop! Today we bring you Artsy Clay by Judy in Asheville, North Carolina. Judy creates whimsical clay jewelry, ornaments, and more! From a creative family, Judy learned the joy of brightening other people’s lives with handmade gifts from her mother. “[My mother] was my role model: she was still crocheting and giving away beautiful baby blankets up to her last days at age 87.” The passion for creating is still with Judy as she has been creating all sorts of things out of polymer clay since 1997. And she’s passing the creative legacy along. Just this Mother’s Day, Judy’s granddaughter Megan made necklaces for the women of the family.

“I love handmade art because you can find such unique things that come from people’s imaginations and have “heart.” Things that are handmade with love and care will last and become keepsakes to hand down to the next generation.“

Artsy Clay started on Etsy in 2006 after encouragement from Judy’s friends and family. She finds the possibilities of polymer clay to be endless. Learning from classes, books, and online tutorials mixed with some playing and experimenting, Judy sells all sorts of polymer clay creations made with passion. And, she encourages custom orders.

What does Judy love most in her shop? Her cat jewelry and ornaments.

Check  out this cat pendant.

A perfect gift for your cat loving friend or yourself! Check out Judy’s Etsy shop Artsy Clay for more adorable pendants and clay ornaments just in time for the holiday season!

The Astral Charm

Today’s featured store is run by Stephanie in Mesa, Arizona. Her store, The Astral Charm features handmade, personally designed jewelry created just for you! As 23 year old mother of two college graduate (AA), she’s working on her Bachelors and Masters in Social Work while running her Etsy shop.

“I love handmade art because of the personality and character that comes with every piece. Handmade is special in that handmade items really compliment your own unique personality. I make jewelry and love my earrings. I try to reach out to women of all ages, and I believe that jewelry should be unique, fun, and a little quirky no matter how old you are!”

Stephanie loves putting her own special touch on all of her art. An avid scrapbooker and paper art lover, she even makes her own earring cards to specialize your purchase even more. And while she’s not busy creating her gorgeous jewelry, she helps run the All Handmade By ME Team.

“I love being a leader of the All Handmade by ME team because it really gives a sense of purpose (besides being a mom of course!) and that I like helping the team whether it’s answering questions on the forums, or pinning items to our ever growing pinterest. There are always ideas going through my head on how to keep our awesome team interested and engaged, and it’s exciting that I have the ability to put those thoughts in action!” 

And just in time for the holidays, Stephanie would love to share her Rose Hair Bobby Pin with you.

A gorgeous gift for friends, family, or yourself! Spice up your hairdo for that holiday party with her handmade bobby pin piece! Stephanie has all sorts of fun and unique handmade jewelry just waiting for you! Head on over to her Etsy store and check it out!

SMART Designs

Today’s featured store is SMART Designs by Stacey. Hanging out in St. Louis, Missouri, Stacey creates digital artwork. Oh, and she also started the All Handmade By ME Team! But while she’s not busy managing the team with her other leaders, she’s creating prints, cards, and more.

“I have always been known as “the creative one” in the family and have been drawing and doodling since I could hold a crayon.”

Stacey looked at her creativity as a calling and created SMART Designs in February of 2013. Her piece, “A Life For All Seasons” was her first sale and what led her to Etsy. But then something happened. Etsy changed their policy. Stacey saw what could come from that policy change and decided to do something about it. She created the All Handmade By ME Team.

“My definition of “handmade” is simple. If you make it yourself (or as part of a small family business or group collective) it’s handmade. I do not expect that every knitter keeps sheep to make her own yarn or that every jewelry maker makes all of her own beads. I understand that it is the 21st century and accept that people will use the tools and supplies out there for their crafts. I for one, make all of my artwork on the computer, but that doesn’t mean it is any less handmade because my hands are making the art. That said, I draw the line at assembled pieces. I expect that the majority of any one item is in fact handmade. I think that’s a fair expectation.”

And from this team, Stacey has created new artwork, team artwork. A badge that signifies true handmade art.

“The badge I made kind of started a revolution…I feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I see it on someone’s shop. We are a team. A team of handmade artists that will be heard.”

Only those who make handmade art and are approved team members may sport the badge. But it isn’t an exclusive club. Anyone is welcome to apply! Approval is granted if the artist does indeed sell all handmade items. Stacey and the team respect those that sell a mix of handmade and other items but created the team to help buyers find only handmade items.

Stacey’s store gave her a voice and it also helps her pursue her dreams of being an artist and a writer. She wants to share her passion for creativity and art with others. You can check out her artwork in her store. Have an idea for a new piece of art? Contact her, she loves new challenges! Check out her Big Orange Couch, an ode to her love for the television show Friends.

Stacey’s website

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the very first blog posting of the All Handmade By ME Team! This blog was started in support of the Etsy team and Facebook group that grew overnight after Etsy’s new policy allowing manufactured items to be sold on their site. With Stacey Sobelman in the captain’s chair, the group has grown and will enhance the user experience for those looking for handmade, OOAK (one of a kind) items on Etsy.

Here are our goals:

1. Provide a list of verified genuinely handmade shops for buyers and advertise that list on many outlets.
2. Provide a place for artists to support each other through this difficult time of change.
3. Create a community of artisans and crafters similar to what Etsy originally was.
4. Open a forum for discussion about other opportunities for those selling truly handmade items.
5. Self and group promotion of 100% handmade art.

Less than a month after the policy change, The All Handmade By ME Team has grown to over 650 certified members who sell true handmade items.

But why the blog? We want to feature our wonderful members! Each week we will showcase at least one member, highlight their products, and give some more information about who they are. We believe that the handmade spirit of the group is one that should be carried on to everyone. Handmade art is becoming lost in the manufactured world we live in. We strive to change that.

If you are a certified member and would like to be featured, please email us at allhandmadebymeteam@gmail.com and include:

• Name
• Location
• Short bio
• What you love about handmade art
• Favorite product you sell
• Link to your store

Want to become a member of the All Handmade By ME Team? Apply on our Etsy page!