Giro d'Italia, Welcome to Ireland. Getting to Know You #32

The Giro d'Italia cycling race commenced on the island of Ireland last Friday so why not put a creative spin on it?

In honour of the event, this month's Getting to Know You  spot is shared with Etsy Italia Team. This is where Etsy Ireland welcomes another team with a 50-50 shared treasury and a feature, here on our blog. Buongiorno Italia! Welcome to Ireland and of course, best of luck to all the cyclists too!

Necklace made using inner tube of a bike wheel, by Nokike, Etsy Italia

I can't think of a better way to introduce our Italian friends than a necklace made from re-used bike tubes by Nokike. Now that gives a whole new meaning to the term 'recycling.'

Etsy Italia is a large and ever-growing team of Etsy sellers who are either Italian or residing in the beautiful country of Italy. To apply you are required to be an Italian speaker. The team was set up in 2009 and since then has flourished to over 3500 members. Hardly surprising that they have a whopping 14 team leaders! Their purpose is to support one another and share tips and ideas for improving and growing their shops.

Bicycle brooch or boutonniere, by Madrab, Etsy Italia

I love the strapline on Etsy Italia team blog, 'Beauty is Handmade.'  On their blog you will find team information, promotions, tutorials etc. You can also find them in the usual hangouts:

Etsy Italia on Twitter

Etsy Italia on Facebook
Etsy Italia on Pinterest

Etsyitaliateam pinback badge

You  can find their members' goods on Etsy by using the search tag etsyitaliateam. Most interestingly, they also have their own merchandising store, stocked by their members. Earnings go towards funding the team's activities. 

Giro d'Italia greeting card by Belfast Times, Etsy Ireland team

As the race kicked off in Belfast, it is fitting to introduce our team with a Giro d'Italia greeting card by Northern Ireland artist, Jeff of Belfast Times. 

Children's activity cycle trail (hard copy) by Get Out, Find Out, Etsy Ireland.

Etsy Ireland is a team of over 1000 artists, designers, crafts persons and vintage goods or craft supply sellers, who are Irish or live in Ireland. We aim to build a stronger craft community in Ireland and to share selling and crafting tips, promote our team and support each other. As well as on this blog we are found here:

Etsy Ireland on Facebook
Etsy Ireland on Twitter
Esty Ireland on Pinterest

You can search for our goods on Etsy with the tag craftyirelandteam.

 Enjoy the treasury shared in tandem with our Italian colleagues:

Giro D'Italia - Welcome to Ireland, by Anne-Marie of Handmade by Amo'r

A special thank you is due to Rosalba of Dream Up Graphic. As soon as she received word that her pre-made logo was featured in our 50-50 treasury, she immediately set off to reciprocate the favour:

Giro D'Italia - Thanks Ireland by Rosalba of Dream Up Graphic, Etsy Italia

Getting to Know You #31, in the Garden

Come into the garden, do!

For this month's Getting to Know You spot, Etsy Ireland team would like to give a warm welcome to the Gardens of Etsy team. This feature is where we introduce our guests with a 50-50 shared treasury and a short blog post.

Love birds garden art by G. Vega  of  Gardens of Etsy team

Gardens of Etsy are an international team, heading towards 650 members all of whom share an interest in or are inspired by nature, plants and/or gardening. 

Miniature garden terrarium kit by Inside the Glass, Gardens of Etsy team

In their own, poetic words 'Gardening is an art form all it's own, sculpting the earth as we go. Creating a sanctuary to calm our spirit and rejuvenate our soul. We fill our gardens with not only plants and love but enhance them with our arts and crafts. We bring the outdoors in by filling our homes with our nature inspired works of art'.  

I too feel inspired to wire up some wind chimes after reading that. You could say they've given me the seed of an idea.

Find some of their members' beautiful items on Etsy by using the tag gardensofetsyteam or in this list of team faves. Maybe you will be inspired to purchase something lovingly made to use in your own green space. Click HERE for their blog (but don't forget to come back to us!)

painted, distressed herb planter by Jaunty Stuff, Etsy Ireland team.

Etsy Ireland team would like to welcome Gardens of Etsy to our virtual 'garden party.' We are a team of over 1000 artists, craftspeople, craft suppliers and sellers of vintage who are either from or reside in Ireland. You can find our items using the tag craftyirelandteam. As well as this blog we are found here on Twitter and Facebook.

Celtic ceramic toadstools by Rosin Gregory Designs, Etsy Ireland team

So enjoy the lawn party. May your shops all blossom and thrive!

'County Garden', 50-50 cross team treasury by Handmade by Amo'r.

Getting to Know You #30, Ireland says Thank You

What have the Choctaw Nation, Germany and an Irish American lady got in common? The answer lies in the fibre of this month's Getting to Know You treasury.

'Ireland says Thank You to our Friends' by byAMOR

This month, Etsy Ireland Team shares our Getting to Know You spot with Auld Irish Artisans, UK & Ireland Team plus special friends who have helped us this year. See our blog Thursday 13th to find out more ... http://etsyireland.blogspot.ie/index.html

Keep Calm - I Can't Keep... DustyShamrockS... $20	Ancient Irish Bog Oak Bog Ro... MayFlyEtsyShop $69	Bracelet leather green 4-row Charmecharming $15	Home Decor, Zen Garden, Vint... ArtGlamourSlig... $96.33
Rose - cross stitch pattern,... evascreation $2.99	vintage soup plates. Shallow... Carraigmore $15	Gross grain ribbon lilac, gr... FEANORcrafts $0.6	Resin Bangle. Eco Resin. Bot... LostForestJewe... $60
Child's Winter Cap LynnsCreativeC... $8.95	Steampunk Gothic Ornament De... AlteredEras $10	Apple Green Silk and Alpaca ... rubystarknits $48	Untreated Natural Raw Black ... LittleIndiaHol... $1
Hand Polished Dalmation Jasp... BlackBearsBaza... $6.99	Victor the Frog - fabric toy... ToysAndHomeDec... $47	Art Deco Choker by JAKOB BEN... ArtDecoratif $320	1998 Irish 50 Pence Coin Bir... BridgetFainne $22

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In honour of St Patrick's Day, this month's Getting to Know You spot is dedicated to some of those who have acknowledged and supported our team alongside two teams that also host many of our members; The UK & Ireland Seller Support team and Auld Irish Artisans team. This is a thank you to you  all from Etsy Ireland team.

Here is the breakdown of who our featured guests are and why they were chosen to share this treasury...

  

Martina and Regina 

Let's go back to one crazy weekend last summer and the hugely successful treasury blitz with our German friends, Promo Team De. Over two days, between us we produced more than 200 shared treasuries. Martina of Art Decoratif was the driving force behind the German efforts. Regina of CharmeCharming was proclaimed challenge Champion not only for participating but for tirelessly clicking, sharing and commenting on as many treasuries as she could. (Lets not forget our own Champion, Petra, who turned out a whopping 35 treasuries!)

Lynn

Lynn Corrigan of Lynn's Creative Crochet has to be one of the most prolific treasury makers on Etsy. This warm and friendly Irish American lady is a great promoter of Etsy shops around the globe churning out list after beautiful list. I'm personally grateful for being included regularly. I often spot fellow team members in the mix. Thanks Lynn!

Many of our team are also members of Etsy's Uk & Ireland Seller Support Team. If you are not, it may be worth considering. This huge team, almost 5000 members strong, is there for Etsy shop owners located in the UK and Ireland. It provides a space for us to exchange information and help each other out, while avoiding self promotion. Find the team on Facebook HERE and you can sign up to the team newsletter.

 
Paula and Nuala

Representing their team, we have included Paula of Altered Eras, who is based in  England and is a team leader. And please say hello to Nuala of Little India Holistics in Belfast.

In January we said hello to the Australian Wandarrah team.  Our greeting was returned to us with a gorgeous treasury by their member Little Grey Mouse. It is not often that our Getting to Know You treasuries are reciprocated and it was much appreciated. If any of you know of any other payback treasuries to our team do please mention them in comments.

At this time of year it is nice to give a nod to the Irish diaspora, including the Auld Irish Artisans on Etsy. Many of our team are also in this growing group. This team welcomes Irish and non-Irish Etsy people who love Ireland and all things Irish. Well, you can't go wrong with that ;-). You can also find them on Flicker.

  
Kate and Meagan

Representing this team, we have Kate of Bridget Fainne, one of the team leaders and Meagan of Dusty Shamrock Studio (She's the one who can't keep calm because she's Irish and sure, would you blame her? Neither can we, we're so excited it's nearly Paddy's Day!)

This brings me to our last, unusual guest and that is Grace of Black Bears Bazaar. I say unusual as I included her just for one treasury, True Irish Treasures, sent to us from across the pond. Or rather, it was because of her story and our shared heritage. Grace has Irish blood in her veins but also is Choctaw. She reminded me of the link between her ancestors and ours. I thought it a heart warming story to end this article.

During the Great Irish Famine  (1845-50,) the Choctaw Nation, who are known for their generosity and commitment to helping others, heard of our plight - or better said, blight 

Though they did not have great wealth, in 1847 the Choctaw people of Oklahoma took up a collection to help the starving Irish millions of miles away. The (then) grand sum of $170 was sent on to the US Famine Relief organisation for our fore-bearers' benefit. This was one of the most significant single donations made to the relief fund.

In 1992 a plaque dedicated to the Choctaw Nation was unveiled at the Mansion House, Dublin. Scroll down through this link from the Mansion House to see the plaque.

***

Again, thank you to all who have supported Etsy Ireland team in any way to date. May I wish a Happy St Patrick's Day to all of you, wherever you are in the world! 

Getting to Know You #29. Irish Fairytale for Valentine's Day

February brings us the romance of Valentine's Day, like all holidays, a potentially busy time for Etsy sellers. For this month's Getting to Know You spot, I thought I'd bring you a romantic fairytale, Etsy style.

Celtic dreaming fairy suncatcher by Gloine Glory, Ireland.

Getting to Know You is a monthly feature where Etsy Ireland team greets another team with a 50-50 cross team treasury and gives them a little exposure on our blog. The idea is to introduce ourselves and mutually promote.  

surreal illustration by Scott Mills, FFF team

This month we would like to say hello (and send some Irish magic) to the Fantasy, Fairytale and Folklore team. Similar to us, they are a large team, boasting 1001 members.  Unlike us, they are not linked geographically (or by heritage) but through a love of all things magical. They describe themselves so gently as 'an innocent place for people to gather together to find others who share their love of everything Fairy, who believe in the beauty of fairy tales, folklore and mythology and its expression in art.'  

faerie toadstool sculpture by Myth Weaver, FFF team

To join the group you should be creating art or handcrafting goods befitting of the team title. The team objective is to actively exchange tips and ideas to help each other grow their businesses and to promote, for example through inspiring, magical treasuries. You can find these enchanting artists on Facebook HERE.

Fairy mobile by Lively Sheep, Ireland

What better place for a fairy gathering than the emerald isle? Ireland is a mystical country with a rich heritage of myth and legend, a country with a strong tradition of storytelling and a hint of magic. 

Etsy Ireland Team would like to flutter our wings and blow some fairy dust your way. We are a team of over 1000 artists, artisans, vintage sellers and craft suppliers. Our members are either born in and/or living in Ireland. Our main aim is to build a stronger craft community within Ireland, and on Etsy, to share ideas and tips and spread the word about our fantastic creations. We work together to help each other build the best possible buying experience for our customers. As we Irish don't take ourselves terribly seriously, we like to chat and have some fun too! 

You can find us on our Facebook page , on  our Twitter page or on the team website & blog.  Search for our quality handmade, vintage or supply goods with the team tag craftyirelandteam.

Here is our Valentine gift to our February guests, an Irish fairytale romance, composed of listings from both teams. All Irish tales have a moral. As the author of this Valentine's tale, my underlying message is don't sit around waiting for love; learn to love yourself first and actively go seek what you desire and deserve, whatever that may be. If you follow the 'story' linearly you may interpret this tale in your own words with your own twists to the plot.  Have fun!

'An Irish Fairytale Romance' by byAMOR

For this month's Getting to Know You spot ETSY IRELAND TEAM sends some romantic fairy dust to the FANTASTY, FAIRYTALE & FOLKLORE TEAM. Keep an eye on our blog http://etsyireland.blogspot.ie/p/home-page.html this Thursday

Waiting - A4 PRINT - Makissi... makissima $19	Red With Yellow Hearts Flowe... DickeryDock $20	Sorrow of the Last - Fantasy... concettasdesig... $12	Elvin Arm Warmers - Medium -... DesignRoomLond... $18.99
I'll mend your heart... ... tanyabond $25	Bramble Fairy - Pixie happy ... Mireog $2.4	Dragon's Eye Stash Trink... CLuciaOriginal... $15	Fairy Wishing Pot Black and ... PatsParapherna... $5
Printable Mystical Horseback... VintageRetroAn... $3.5	Green Irish Landscape Photog... CandyMountainP... $15	Dragon Musician Art Doll: Ta... MagicSeeker $75	The Fairy Song. Signed Limit... eimearbrennan $45
Healing herbs and crystals v... UrdHandicrafts $12	Heart - Cross stitch pattern... evascreation $2.99	Starry Night Silhouette Art,... BingArt $59.95	Oscar Wilde handmade pendant... WhimsyJig $14

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