Missing Mexico

The Mayan Riviera was amazing, as was our resort and the weather! We laid by the pool a lot, walked on the beach, visited the town of Playa del Carmen and went horseback riding through the jungle! My only regret is not bringing insect repellent because I am going crazy with these mosquito bites that I have all over my legs.

We stayed at the RIU Yucatan, about 45 min. from Cancun. I was so impressed by how enthusiastic and friendly the resort's employees were. I found out that these employees work 12 hr days, 6 days a week! They seemed like such hard workers and were always smiling. If you are ever thinking about visiting the Mayan Riviera or have any questions, feel free to ask!

Happy Friday

Happy Friday to all! I've been going through some personal issues lately so unfortunately I've totally neglected Verona Blu. Hopefully this weekend things will get back to normal a bit and I will work on some new things (of course I still have tons of ideas brewing).

The exciting thing is that my husband Scott and I booked a trip to the Mayan Riviera in March! We'll be gone from the 25-30th and we're staying at an all-inclusive resort. I am really excited and can't wait for some much needed rest, relaxation and FUN. It hasn't hit me yet that it's almost one month away!

A new week....

I'm sorry but I've been slacking off and not posting a new artist every week like I wanted to. Actually I've been BUSY! Just with other things though...work, my puppy, the house... However, this week I am featuring Michelle of Spoonful of Chocolate (www.spoonfulofchocolate.etsy.com) from Tempe, Arizona. Michelle makes everything from yummy chocolate-covered spoons to unique handbags and donates 100% of her proceeds to help out her father. Read more about her...

Describe your work/items you create in 3 words:

Unique, Funky, Handmade

How and when did you first get into creating your work?
Ever since I was a little girl I have had a creative streak in me. I think I may have gotten it from my parents. My mother was accepted to Art school when she was younger, but couldn't take up the offer because she had to help support her family that had just fled Czechoslovakia. Growing up, my father would always be doing something- from building our house, to making a mosaic porch table to building an authentic rock wine cellar/bar!

I remember how I couldn't wait to get up every morning and go to Art class! I would spend hours drawing and coloring and cutting things out of construction paper. I got second place in my high school art show for a sculpture I had made. A few years ago I studied abroad in Switzerland. I had such an amazing experience that when I got back I spent my entire summer perfecting my scrapbook.

The past couple of years I have become very interested in different crafts. I bought a sewing machine and started making everyone retro-style apron sets that came with matching dish gloves. I also bought a wood burner and made my father a sign for his wine cellar. My boyfriend has gotten many things from frames to a personalized pillow. I think I have an eye for color and matching. I manage to get attached to almost everything I make!

Do you sell on any other online venues besides Etsy?

Nope.

3 things that inspire you:

My boyfriend, fabric and my father. I ultimately started my business to help my father who is about to lose his house because of family issues. All profits go towards the house.

Selling your work on Etsy, or online in general, can mean a lot of competition. Are you intiminated by this? Why or why not?

A little, I know I have unique products and they are of good quality- it's the marketing part that scares me!

Verona Blu Made the Front Page!

I happened to go to etsy.com yesterday only to find that my Glass Cherry necklace was selected for a treasury which made the front page! I was completely thrilled and very grateful, as I've only hoped one of my items would "make it" to the front page one day. It definitely made my day...or even week! Here's a link to the treasury: http://flickr.com/photos/shutterkate/3218567600/
I've been really busy this week and tomorrow morning I set aside a few hours to photograph my new creations which will be posted on etsy this weekend!

Coming soon

I planned on introducing my new line of little fabric earrings, magnets and hair pins this weekend since I had off yesterday for MLK Day, but it didn't turn out that way. So I am now aiming for next Monday. I plan to take the photographs on Sunday and have my new items available on Etsy on Monday, Jan. 26. I made quite a few yesterday and am really happy how they turned out! I can't wait for everyone to see them.

Monday stuff

Erin Quintana of RuJu (http://www.ruju.etsy.com/) makes really cool bags and accessories and opened shop in July 2008. Read below to learn more about her and check out her Etsy shop to see the awesome stuff she creates! (pictured above is Erin's Flower Orbs Tote, one of my favorites from her shop)

Describe your work/items you create in 3 words:
Useful, fresh and funky

How and when did you first get into creating your work?
First, as in the way beginning. Hmmmm. Let me think. Well, when I was little, I was never very interested in toys. Instead of baby dolls and easy bake ovens I got Fisher Price looms and pot holder makers. I used to love hooking rugs (the ones that came with the pattern printed on the material). In third grade my best friend and I would sit in her living room with our hermit crabs *runnning* around on the floor knitting. I never made it past the regular knit stitch...but we sure had fun.

In ninth grade I took a clothing construction class in high school. That was all it for me. From there I started sewing for fun.

Senior year I went to the vo-tech for photography. Now I have a full studio, and do portrait work as well as my sewing and crocheting.

Do you sell on any other online venues besides Etsy?
I just did my first craft show in early December '08. It was fantastic! I loved getting to meet the other Etsians and meeting others who love to create! I can not wait for spring so that I can do more.

3 things that inspire you:
Number one is by far is my children. The first thing that I made for my Etsy shop was the Hook 'N' Go diaper bags. I thought it was brilliant! Being a mom is a tough job, and anything that can make that job a little bit easier is fantastic.

Number two is visual inspiration. Anything shiny or bright, or the right combination of colors will spark and idea in my brain. For example my football bag. Who would have thought that a spiky bright blue football would make a perfect make-up case?!

Number three would have to be all of the other crafters/designers/creators on Etsy. I love pouncing through the shops and seeing what wonderful work other people make, and to see how successful you can be providing unique creative things. It inspires me to go for it!

Selling your work on Etsy, or online in general, can mean a lot of competition. Are you intimidated by this? Why or why not?
Absolutely not! The one great thing about handmade items is no two are ever the same. Sure, getting your name out there is a lot of work. But if you are willing to put in the time and do the work (which I am) people will find me.

Just an idea

Bronze and Gold Paper Butterfly Earrings

Origami Ornament Set

Ok, so since I am new to blogging and trying to make this one interesting and fun, I thought it would be a good idea to feature different artists from around the world who have recently set up their Etsy shops...we are all familiar with the patience, time and hard work it requires to build up your shop from the ground up and promote your unique work.

This week I would like to introduce Suanne of Paper Displays of Affection (www.PaperAffection.etsy.com). She opened up shop last September and I just love her super-creative, cute origami designs! And so original too (I sure know I've never seen any jewelry made with origami!). Above are two of my favorite items from Suanne's shop!

Describe your work/items you create in 3 words:
origami. jewelry. awesomeness (or Paper Displays of Affection).

How and when did you first get into creating your work?
Its been about 13 years now since that fourth grade class where I made my first crane. I first got into origami because I had this problem with sitting still when I was a kid. I discovered that folding paper helped me concentrate in class while I took notes. This was especially true in college and during long lectures and I honestly believe I did better in class when I was folding! As I practiced more and more, I realized that if there wasn't a real use for my origami models, that they'd all go to waste - and I couldn't let that happen! So I set out to make my origami functional - jewelry was my first thought, and I'm exploring other mediums.

Do you sell on any other online venues besides Etsy?
No, but I occasionally do commissions on DeviantArt (www.pandacub143.deviantart. com) which is where I started out before Etsy. It's an artist's community and has some super talented people!

3 things that inspire you:
Colors. Other artists (jewelry and paperfolding and more). Intelligent conversation.

Selling your work on Etsy, or online in general, can mean a lot of competition. Are you intiminated by this? Why or why not?
I am and am not at the same time. I feel that I really offer a very unique spin on jewelry that you can't find in many other places (the people who do exactly what I do I can count on one hand). At the same time jewelry is a saturated market and it's hard to make someone fall in love with an item without picking it up - my items don't have that bling factor :) But I stand behind what I make, love the process, and I know that no one else can offer you the same product.

Thank you Suanne!