Etsy Feature: craftEs

I am beefing up my blog and entering the world of guest posts, product reviews, and shop features. My first victim guest feature is my friend Ellie! I went to college with Ellie at UNI. We were both Elementary Education majors! She currently lives in the Twin Cities where she is a substitute teacher. She owns a shop on Etsy called CraftEs where she [currently] sells some pretty awesome handmade jewelry.

[Click the pictures to links to her shop]

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Ellie Woodward and my Etsy shop is craftEs. I started craftEs a little less than a year ago as a way to sell my surplus of crafted goods. I tend to find a project I love to make, and make things in bulk. Usually I don't create specifically for the shop, but instead I create simply to get the creative "bug" out of me. I don't have a use for ten necklaces, or eight pairs of similar earrings, so I take them to the shop in hopes that somebody else will be able to enjoy them!

What is your favorite thing to craft?

My favorite thing to craft definitely depends on my mood! For a few months it was anything using my new sewing machine skills, then anything made of felt, and now beaded jewelry. I used to make beaded jewelry a LOT as a kid, so it's good to be back in familiar territory. but who knows, maybe next month it'll be something different!

What inspires you to craft?

I am most inspired by current trends. I like to make things that I see in stores and online. Often times I wonder, "Can I make that myself?" I especially like to make things that I would wear myself. :)

What is your favorite piece in your shop?

I actually have two favorite pieces in the shop. The first is the multi-colored memory wire bracelet, and the second is the multi-colored four-strand bracelet. They are similar pieces, and I love the alternating sizes of the see beads, and the randomness of the colors. You can wear them with anything--jeans or a special occasion!

Thanks for sharing your talents with us, Ellie! I can definitely relate to getting that "creative" bug out, as well as finding inspiration in things you see in stores that you know you can make yourself! I think my favorite piece is the multi-colored 4-strand bracelet. Ellie is a talented woman! I have seen some fabulous clutches and headbands she makes as well. Go check out craftEs and support a starving teacher! :)

{Side note: In explaining to Kevin what "Etsy" is, he was wondering why I don't sell all the things I make. I selfishly like to hoard all my crafts and display them all over the house. He thinks we're going to run out of room. Guess we'll need a bigger place!}

If you aren't familiar with Etsy, it's a website where thousands of vendors sell handmade goods.