We've Moved!!!!

Hello Readers,

Central California Etsy Team is now called Fresno Etsy Especial and because we have spiced up our name, we moved the blog to a new spicier location.

FOLLOW THE ESPECIALES HERE!!!

Thanks,
XO
sil

Something About Fresno

As a member of the Central California Etsy Team, I find that I'm often having conversations with other members about how we as a team connect with the people in the community that appreciate the handmade and artistic of what we do. I came across this video on www.fresnofamous.com and it really is a universal problem that a lot of artists in the community face...the disconnect between what everyday people in the community are doing and how they can be better informed about the cool stuff having in our town. I like that this video brings this to light and brings the discussion to the table. And we really need more of it!

I think this is a complicated road and that many questions that need to be answered, but I think the internet and social media venues like this blog are a great ways to voice these concerns. Hopefully our team and other groups will be able to make an impact and work together to bring more artistic awareness to Fresno!

– Alexa

Salt Spoon Jewelry

Years ago, people used open salt cellars and little salt spoons at the dinner table. These spoons were usually Sterling Silver and often in the same pattern as the owner's personal Sterling silverware.
I recently acquired some of these spoons and I think they will be awesome to incorporate into jewelry. They are 2" to 2 1/4" and are stamped Sterling on the backs. As there are many, many styles, I was careful to only purchase designs that had natural cutouts in them so holes don't have to be drilled. I have several fun ideas in mind. Any other suggestions?

Vineyard's Farmers Market

One of my favorite spots in Fresno to go is the Vineyard's Farmers Market. While I was there this past weekend, I took a little video. Be forewarned, when I flip the camera to show you, it's a little jerky. After that, it's not so bad.

I always feel good when I go to the Farmer's market and I get so much there for so little! Last weekend I got a cantaloupe, 2 green peppers, 3 tomatoes, flowers, a red onion, and fresh basil for like $10. You can't beat that!

So, if you are in Fresno on Wednesday or Saturday mornings, I totally suggest you hop on over to Blackstone and Shaw and stop by. Here's their official website if you want to learn more.

Alexa

A crafty good time

On Wednesday night, our team went out to eat at Red Robin with Kathy Cano-Murillo a.k.a. Crafty Chica and Pattie Donham-Wilkinson a.k.a. Pattie Wack! We had a super fun time learning, sharing, and inspiring each other! It was really fun and I think that both Kathy and Pattie got as much out of the experience as the Etsy team members did! It's so nice to get together with creative people and just be ourselves! At one point, we even got shooshed. People need to lighten up! Toward the end of the night, it seemed like the waitresses were tired of us too!!! Ha ha...but we weren't tired of each other. We made Kathy and Patty honorary members, and they were indeed honored! We look forward to getting together in the future and letting our crafty ideas flow!

– Alexa

Meet Tiffanie!

Meet Tiffanie, owner of the Etsy shop Dragonfly Designs by TH. Tiffanie makes beautiful handmade bags, many of which include techniques like quilting and embroidery. Read on to find out more about Tiffanie and her crafty life!

Describe your studio and way you create. Organized/random/while watching
TV?, etc.
I do all my sewing in my sewing studio. I really just added a desk with my sewing machine and a huge drafting table to my kitchen nook. All of my hand sewing and knitting is done in front of the TV after the kids are asleep.

Where do you find your inspiration?
I often go through my hoard of craft supplies and challenge myself to “see” a masterpiece in the pile of fabric, trim, and junk. I really feel a lot of pride in a piece when I feel like I am keeping stuff out of a landfill. That is how many of my favorite items were “born”.

Do you remember your first craft/art project that you did? Tell us about
it.
When I was little my grandmother took care of us after school pretty often. She has always sewn and made things. She taught me to embroider and I made an owl for my mom. It was just on a piece of muslin and I haven’t seen it since. I suspect I will find it packed away in a keepsake box one day. My mom NEVER throws out the treasures any of us give her.

What's your favorite thing about Etsy? Are there any other shops you are
totally addicted to?
I love Alchemy! I have been able to get a lot of things from other people. I also find that bidding can get the creative juices flowing. Even if I pitch an idea that doesn’t get a sale, I can still make the item and get out of any craft rut.

What is your most exciting sale that you ever made?
A bride really loved my blue zebra handbag and wanted 6 exactly alike. It was a huge order for me.

What is one craft technique you've always wanted to try but haven't gotten around to?
Mosiac! I’ve always wanted to do it but I’ve never gotten my stuff together.

What do you do when you need to get out of a crafting rut?
I try something new! I go through periods where I make something in one technique (knitting, embroidery, sewing,etc) and then I put it down and do something else for a while. I’m presently in on an embroidery kick.

What are your long term goals for your Etsy shop? (1 year +)
My goal has been to make enough to pay for my daughters’ dance classes. That is really the biggest goal since my kids are still pretty little. So far, it is working!

What is your most cherished handmade possession?
Unfortunately, no one makes me anything anymore because they figure I can make it myself! However, do have a beautiful moonstone necklace that my husband bought me at a gallery in Monterey on our honeymoon. *BTW, I don’t make a lot of things and I am accepting gifts at this time. J

How does being crafty affect those around you?
My husband gets a little cranky now and again ‘cause I have craft stuff all over the living room. It drives him nuts to see unfinished projects sitting around on the mantle. I’m a little ADD when it comes to crafting.

How do you share your love for crafting with your family?
My 6 year old loves to do anything crafty. We do a lot of little kits and I’ve been trying to teach her to knit. She says she wants to have a shop on Etsy too!

What's the favorite thing you've ever made for your shop?
The hand embroidered dragonfly tote is by far my favorite. I really want it for myself! If it doesn’t sell soon, I’ll probably take it for myself.

Hope everyone enjoyed Tiffanie's Featured Seller interview! We'll be featuring more of our CenCal Etsy Team members in the coming weeks, so be sure to check back!

Thanks for reading! ~Katie

Fresno Arts dot Net

For all you local artists and art lovers, this is a great social networking site. It is specifically made to help the community spread the word about the great artists, events and groups that exist where you live. If you haven't checked it out yet, you should. We, the Cencal Etsy Team, have started a group there, where any of the members of the Fresno Arts Community can follow our happenings. I encourage ya'll to join in the fun.