Getting to Know You #28, Ireland Seeks Sun in Australia

Happy New Year crafty people! Anne-Marie here with the first 'Getting to Know You' spot of 2014 and this month, we pop over to sunny Australia!

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 make ourselves known and to mutually promote.

Australian passport cover by Toys and Home Decor, Australia

This month we'd like to extend a hearty, Irish welcome to the Australian Wandarrah team, in the hopes that a little warm Australian Summer sunshine will be sent our way. We could do with a few rays in this weather!

I chose the 'Wandarrahs' over other Australian teams as they are a large group similar in size to us, just over 1000 members strong. 'Wandarrah' means meeting place - what a great name for an Etsy team. Membership is open to all Etsy shop owners who reside in Australia. They have a wonderful, simple rule their members are asked to follow 'be supportive and encouraging to all members.'  Well you can't go far wrong with that. You can find the Wandarrahs on Facebook HERE.

Ireland made from real bog, by Bog Buddies, Ireland.

Etsy Ireland sends a massive Irish welcome across the globe to our Australian counterparts. You can find us on Facebook Here and of course, our blog/website is found Here. We are open to Etsy shop owners from or living in Ireland and you can find our diverse handmade, hand-produced, vintage and craft supply listings by using the team tag 'craftyirelandteam.'

And here is the shared treasury.  Enjoy your trip to the sunshine!

'Ireland Seeks Sun in Australia' by byAMOR

Getting to Know You Cross Team Treasury.Etsy Ireland Team would like to say Hello! to Australian Wandarrah Team....would you send us a bit of your summer sunshine please?

Heart necklace, sterling sil... SylviaArtGalle... $95	Kite Photography, Kids Room ... ColourscapeStu... $20	Flat Cat Rice Heat Cold Pack... MustHaveBeenTh... $25	Vintage whisk or mechanical ... Carraigmore $15
Pastel Dreams Turquoise Blue... ValgStudio $28	Saucer shaped paper bead, fo... PatchesAndBead... $3	Boat On the Sea Clock. Decou... DickeryDock $20	Little Girls Summer Halter N... OldVintageBike $74
Vintage Topaz Glass Charms/D... amazingbeads $5.5	Blue and yellow macaron coin... chiztom $13	Vintage Jelly Mould Lady Bug... RosemyneVintag... $25	Turquoise Czech Glass Round ... whamglamthanky... $10
Antique art deco hand painte... evaelena $34	iPhone Cover Knitting Patter... LittleButtonsA... $4	Vintage Sandland Ware Cream ... eclecticmoi $22.5	Yellow Flower, Organza and S... gemsgallery $19

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Let's Go To Spain! Getting to Know You #24

Hi! Anne-Marie of Handmade by Amo'r here with this month's Getting To Know You post. 

The idea is to introduce the Etsy Ireland Team to another Etsy team via a 50-50, cross-team treasury. 

Wall sticker by Saludos al Pollo

I'm just back from a summer holiday to Spain, a country close to my heart as I spent most of my twenties living there. So with the the sound of the sea echoing in my ears, I was naturally drawn to the Etsy Made in Spain team this month.

intricate work on a ceiling in La Alhambra, Granada (own photo, 2013)

They are a well-established team of over 600 members, dedicated to promoting Spanish shops on Etsy. Their mission is to create a place where Spanish artists can promote their work. Handmade crafts are enjoying a recent upsurge in popularity in Spain and the Etsy Made in Spain team wishes to showcase it to the world. They share more than a language, but also a way of living. Spain is a European country where the abundant sunlight generates wonderful creativity. Find our Spanish friends on Facebook here.

City of Science & Arts, Valencia (own photo a few years old)

 Please do show our Hispanic neighbours a warm, Irish welcome.

'Ireland Visits Spain' by byAMOR

For this month's Getting to Know you, Etsy Ireland takes a trip across the water to Spain to say '?Hola, que tal?' to the Etsy Made in Spain team with this 50-50 cross team treasury

1940 Antique Spanish map of ... BlueGrizzlePap... $18	Beach Wall Art, 10x10, Beach... GreenGooseGall... $50	60s Green Bucket Cooler / Pl... Mammaschest $45	Ring with Wood inlay and sil... CMGArte $40
Sea Shell Necklace, Hollow G... SeaMeadowDesig... $24	Nha Trang Umbrella. Vietnam ... CandyMountainP... $10	Camera Love pendant. vintage... PetiteDeer $13	Baby girl wedding dress, whi... pipocass $28
coloured pebbles, stony beac... cherryblossomt... $15	Natural linen coach bag with... EguaLondon $40	NOS Vintage swimsuit Size S ... blessthatdress $20	SUMMER SALE / Beach & Nature... MrsFrills $3
Wooden picture - photo tripl... FEANORcrafts $5.99	Vintage Postcard from Irelan... ThePrintMakers $1.5	White crochet women summer d... KnitandCrochet... $38	Shopping bag reusable cotton... artexplosive $9

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Guest post: Nina from I FEEL CRAFTY

Hi, my name is Nina! With my loving husband and our two children, a dog and two cats we live in County Donegal. I'm a fashion designer and work from my home-based studio. My passion is crafting and everything handmade. More about me here. Or have a look at my Etsy shop 'A Vixen's Magic Den'.

Recently I started a website I FEEL CRAFTY about everything handcrafted.

My aim is to get people inspired and be creative. You can find tutorials and DIY projects about sewing, knitting, crocheting, felting & more. I share my crafty & handmade findings and makings. Maybe you try something new!

The website also introduces small businesses such as Designers, Illustrators & Artists. Some of them give a great inside look in their work (interviews). You may be tempted to start your own business or find helpful tips to improve your work.

My most recent favorite articles:
SEWING: A Girl's Dress

INTERVIEW with Jill McDonald

St.PATRICK's Day KNITS

HOPPY Easter Bunnys

Come join the 'I feel crafty' community! Get creative!

Thank you to Nina for this lovely post, I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling inspired after reading these :)! You can read so many more lovely and inspirational posts at I Feel Crafty . Be sure to check out the post on Handmade Retro Weddings- it's all the rage this Spring :)!x

Crafty Inspirations for the New Year

2013 art calendar by Makissima

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all team members and craft lovers. Anne-Marie of Handmade by Amo'r here. I'd like to share a few inspirational ideas for the start of 2013.

A NOD TO 'THE GATHERING'

One of the most significant happenings in Ireland this year is of course The Gathering, a year-long celebration of Ireland, homecoming events and the Irish Welcome. Perhaps we can come up with small ways we can individually, and/or as a team, celebrate with Irish Etsy people abroad?

Claddagh ring Irish language card by Irish Elements

For instance, I came across this team ‘Auld Irish Artisans’ on Etsy. They are a group of Irish and non-Irish Etsians who love all things about Ireland. A simple idea would be to make cross-team treasuries under the theme and tag of 'The Gathering' to extend a greeting to them. Anyone could do this as an individual member of the team at any time during the year. The more who do it, the merrier! (Don’t know how to make a treasury? See links below for help). 

seaglass fairy born from a crafty exchange across the ocean

Another idea might be to team up with Irish Etsians abroad for mini projects. In 2012 I have been fortunate to make ‘cyber friendships’ with Irish descendants abroad via treasuries, as customers and also through lucky encounters such as with American Irish girl, Joy of Seaglass Lass.  Joy sought some Irish seaglass and I got the chance to experiment with drilled pieces she sent me in exchange. To read about our crafty swap please see link at end of article. Perhaps it will spark ideas for swaps and projects between us and Irish Etsians around the world. Please do post any further ideas that may occur to you in the comments below!

Silver Celtic knot torc pendant by Claddagh Design

In terms of creativity, The Gathering may also provide inspiration for friendship bracelets, mementos, Irish gifts, greeting cards and so on. The possibilities abound.

NETWORKING

Having tentatively networked through the team forums, making treasuries, contributing to this blog, and via the few team meetings I have been able to attend, I have been lucky to find some crafty friends. On a  few occasions I have extended open invites for inspirational/cultural outings for a more relaxed, social meet-up with local team members. Born out of this, I have made two very supportive friends in Mo of Huggleknits and Heli of Heli Creations  and we continue to meet up ourselves on a regular basis for a crafty chat and a day out.

Mo & Heli at the National Botanic Gardens

We’ve had fun beach combing, hill walking, taking photos at the National Botanical Gardens and visiting places of cultural interest such as the Chester Beatty Library. We always come away with fresh inspirations, feedback on our newest creations and a helpful tip or two.  We also promote each other's shops when we post photos of our trips on our blogs or on Facebook. Hopefully in 2013 we will get to go a little further afield and meet other Etsy friends for a day out.

Hello Necklace by Fiore Jewellery

Sticking your neck out to network and meet up can be daunting but I've found it very rewarding.
Why not use the team forums and/or this blog to make contact with team members in your town or area in a similar way?  It's always good to make new crafty friends - and to promote each other too!

GET INVOLVED

On a larger scale, why not make 2013 the year to be more active in the Crafty Ireland team?  Please read the post below from our Team Captain, Sue, calling for volunteers. The roles are filling up fast so don't hesitate! Getting involved is a great way to network and to give something back. According to Etsy Admin, team members who are more active within a team tend to do better saleswise too!

Fleece for hand spinning or needle felting by FEONORcrafts

 JANUARY SPECIFIC

 January is the month for new beginnings, new hobbies, resolutions and early Spring Cleaning. It’s a good time to sell de-stash or set up that supply shop you’ve been thinking about. Why not match your needs to clear out overstock of supplies with someone else’s new hobby and sell your de-stash at a fair, but tempting price?

Garnet & Pearl bracelet by The Crystal Cavern

 The birthstone for January is the garnet, while amethyst is the birthday gem for February. 

Be Mine signed print by Amelie Gagne

Now is also the time to be listing and tagging for Valentines Day and St. Patrick’s Day will be hot on its heels.

Lastly, 2013 is the Chinese year of the snake. Let's hope it's not a slippery one, but a crafty one!!

Free your imagination brooch by Shiny Jane

Wishing you all the best for 2013. May it be a year filled with inspiration, imagination, fortunate encounters and crafty goodness!

RELATED LINKS
TREASURIES, ETSY HELP
SUPPLY SWAP ACROSS THE OCEAN
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
TEAM FORUMS