Welcome new members! - April Edition

Tweet Hope everyone is having a good week! I just wanted to take a moment to welcome some of newest Team Fest Members...



Hope Lane from HopeLaneArt 
"My name is Hope and I'm excited to join a Florida based team. I started my shop HopeLaneArt as a place to feature my custom pet portraits and other paintings for sale. I live in Lauderdale by the Sea, and am thankful especially this year, I no longer live up north where I grew up.

I try with my paintings to capture the emotion we feel about our much loved pets and their individual personalities, and spend quite a bit of time communicating with my clients about just what makes their pets special. Hopefully this comes through in my work." 



Dee n Ralph from DeeSweetNostalgia
"I live in the Sunny State of Florida. Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Artist, Christian, and now, loving what I am and do. I work hard with my husband to find the best items from the past that we think deserve a second chance. I hope you find something you'll like. Also you can leave comments at: www.facebook.com/DeeSweetNostalgia" 



Artbypilarfino from Artbypilarcofino
"Just joined the team!!! Giclee Reproductions of Original Paintings and Photography - We create the original work, paintings or photography, then print on our EPSON printers using pigment based ink on fine art paper and canvas.We also create giclee reproductions using original photography from family members."



Debbie Epstein from DEPSTEINPHOTOGRAPHY
"Hi, My name is Debbie. I am new member and I live in Boca Raton. Check out my photographs and found pieces. I take photographs of what moves me, pick pieces that speak to me, and try to find new ways to present them. I look to reuse, repurpose, and upcycle, so you’ll find things in the shop in their “natural state” or gently used. You’ll also find repurposed objects, art, and an eclectic array of decorative elements."

Roll Call! April - Favorite Stay-cation site?

Tweet

Every month we ask our members to sign-in by answering a fun question, this month’s was “Favorite Stay-cation site?” Below is a sampling of some of the great answers from some of members (there are already 7 pages and April isn't even over yet!) – maybe it will inspire you to check out a new Florida vacation spot!

"Daytona Beach and St. Augustine. We are so lucky to have great places to vacation in our own state." JL Jordan from OldRedBarnProduction

"The Florida Keys!!" Cindy from TheSleepySeahorse

"Cocoa : ) and when/if I retire, that is where I will spend my time. I was born in Rockledge and lived in Cocoa until the early '70's. LOVE that place, so quaint and calm, not like Jacksonville with the big city feel. I have family there and hopefully will be visiting soon (May). Love the beach side, the river (even in the stink of summer, lol), the citrus, the retro-vintage ambiance, just everything!!" Renee from ReneeBrownsDesigns

"I would like to see more of our state. Love St. Augustine and all its history" Isabel from IsabelsVintage

"I love Key West, going out on a catamaran with the wild dolphins and eating the great seafood there. Riding the scooters around town and enjoying the people that live there."
Debbie Epstein from DEPSTEINPHOTOGRAPHY

 

"As a kid growing up our parents took us to the Ichetucknee River every summer and it is still one of my best memories . Our entire family (aunts, uncles, cousins..) would meet up there at the State Park and would pitch tents and hang out for the weekend. Best Tubing in Florida! for the adults its lazy and relaxing and for the kids its fun and adventurous! (back then it only cost .50c a person!) "  Rose from GentlemansVintage 

"My favorite staycation site would still have to be Orlando ~ either Disney World or Universal. Always a kid at heart!" JeniLuScraps from JeniLuScraps

"I have got to say I love St. Augustine. A beautiful city with so much to see and do and do go online for special coupons and discounts for tourists. Jacksonville has some fabulous thrift ships and Tampa has the Dali Museum and some great things to see and do. Everyone knows Orlando. Miami is a world unto itself. I lived in Panama City Beach and Panama City for awhile and Vero Beach both are okay. I guess when you have lived some place and seen all there is to see there it is not on your stay vacation list anymore! If you do go to Panama City you must go to Southport nearby and to the Econfiina Canoe and Kayak livery and take that trip also the Chipola River has a short and a nine mile one down the river and people take inner tubes and they shouldn't but they float along coolers with beer in them. I use to canoe it and I had paddled fast past them as they - especially college students can be a raucous bunch. They never take the Long trip - But most of the trip especially if you take the long one is absolutely gorgeous and filled with rare wildlife and some caves you can walk into after climbing up to them over some boulders (secure your canoe :) you can walk all the way to the back and it has a room with a stone like bed in it and many other alcoves where American Indians must have lived as well as bears. Pitch dark so bring your flash light. Wish I could still do this stuff but am thankful for the memories. Blessings to all for good health prosperity and happiness!" Sarah Jackson from StoneForestJewels

What is YOUR favorite Florida Stay-cation site? 

Featured Friday - The Wooden Bee

Tweet

Oh my! I have sure been on quite the hiatus! Going to start a few things back up (yay!). I will be changing the posting approach to "Featured Friday" so that only one shop will be featured a month. The shops coming up will be a mix of some left over interview's from last year, as well as a chance to get to know our Team Leader's who help put together and manage our Etsy Page.

This Friday's interview is with Bee, owner of The Wooden Bee

Tell me a bit about yourself and what you sell:

Hello! My name is Bee, a nickname from school that stuck. The Wooden Bee sounded like the perfect name for our reclaimed wood business, when we opened three years ago. I try to stay as involved as possible with our Florida Etsy Street Team. They are great resource of artist and info for an Etsy shop like myself. I specifically help out with FEST Twitter and Facebook feeds.

Favorite piece you have made- and why?

Oh this has to be the hardest question. I love all the things I make. My husband often asks, "Is that for you or a customer?" when eyeing a new custom piece in the workshop. One wedding anniversary we made ourselves a reclaimed wood frame. It is probably my favorite. Beautiful cherry wood and salvaged glass, frame a bee printed on antique paper.

 

 

 

 

 

 What inspires you?

The wood. It still amazes me how much BEAUTIFUL, unwanted wood is out there. 100% of our wood would have otherwise found itself in a landfill. We drive all over Central Florida collecting quality hardwoods for our shop.
CHECK OUT PIECE TO LEFT

Favorite part about living in Florida?

The weather. We can spend 365 days outside... gardening, playing, and enjoying mother nature here in the sunshine state!

See yourself in 5 years?
Gardening, playing mom, and upcycling wood. I love my life, so I hope too much doesn't change.
CHECK OUT PIECE TO LEFT

What would I find in your refrigerator right now?
Lots of fruits and vegetables. If I'm not growing them, I'm getting them from a produce coop. My newest thing is flavored water! There is always a bottle in the fridge. Just add some lemon, cucumbers, herbs, or whatever you like to filtered water. It's so refreshing!

If you could have any pet what would it be?

If you could have ANY pet, what would you have (why and name)? I want chickens! lol I dream of the day that we have a little backyard coop with some hens and fresh eggs! Do you name chickens? Maybe something like Hattie, Clover, and Flo? :)
CHECK OUT PIECE TO LEFT 






Thank you for letting me interview you and all the hard work you do for our team. Remember to go show The Wooden Bee some love <3
-Chelsey
As it comes, it goes

Wise words for a Happy Saturday and Holiday Season!

Tweet Some wise words shared on our team page and I just felt that it is something that could be shared with everyone today - Thank you Rose for all that you do for our team.

You just never know. 




Dealing with so many members here on this team alone I get an inside glimpse to so many peoples lives and I gotta tell you: you just never know.

worries, pains, issues, problems, distresses,
we all have them - some more, some less. and day by day things can get better and they can get worse.

remember when you are dealing with people out there: you just never know.

I remember one day when I was having a relatively difficult day and emotional turmoil had taken over and I had a rant of road rage . I am more than sure that the lady I cut off cursed me all the way home and, although I felt really bad afterwards, I could not take back the fact that I did it but in that moment I couldn't control myself. and that's when I realized, I understood, that sometimes these things happen and, well, you just never know.

a lot of us are aware that holiday shopping is crazy and it's understandable to think that some people out there ARE having several levels of difficulty getting through this season, whether it be emotional or financial or other, and many times a smile and a kind word is what could be just the thing that helps someone get through the next moment.
please be kind out there.
please keep in mind that the holiday season is just another part of the year and we are all humans making our trip through life and helping each other is part of our lives and part of our existence.
medical issues, financial problems, family turmoil are a sad but true part of our lives and whether you realize it or not, most people you know are going through these at some level.
"no excuses, no regrets". be kind, because you just never know

2013 Yuletide Basket Giveaway!

Tweet 16 Team members have gotten together this Holiday Season and all donated some wonderful items to create a Yuletide Basket Giveaway!

'The Florida Etsy Street Team (FEST) 2013 Yuletide Basket Giveaway' by FEST

Win ALL 16 items listed here!! comment and favorite for chances to win! Drawing Dec. 14th Prizes mailed to the winner Dec. 15th counted entries will be 1 comment per person per day , & favoriting this treasury will give you another chance to win!

Team Fest Yule Bask... PennyBoperoo $13	Team Fest Yule Bask... asitcomesitgo... $0.2	Team Fest Yule Bask... PatricianCrea... $0.2	Florida Etsy Street... TeamFEST $1.2
Team Fest Yule Bask... LuckiiArts $0.2	Team Fest Yule Bask... LangsonsJewel... $0.2	Team Fest Yule Bask... beadloverskor... $0.2	Team Fest Yule Bask... EstiloMargot $0.2
Team FEST Yule Bask... YorelNaturals $0.2	Team Fest Yule Bask... WayfarerPrint... $0.2	Reversible Fabric B... alemahboutiqu... $0.2	Team Fest Yule Bask... HuffShuffLane $0.2
Team Fest Yule Bask... FromBeths $0.2	Team FEST Yule Bask... alyssacritter... $0.2	Reserved - Christma... NoRhymeOrReas... $4.5	Team Fest Yule Bask... RecreationalA... $6

Treasury tool by StylishHome.

All you need to do to enter is go to the Treasury Listing and comment to be entered! You can comment once per day, as well as favorite the listing for an additional entry!

The Drawing will be on Dec. 14th, items will be mailed out to winner on Dec. 15th (so they can make the best of all those holiday prizes!)

Here is an updated list of participants in this event:
1. FEST.etsy.com
2. pennyboperoo.Etsy.com
3. langsonsjewelrybox.etsy.com
4. huffshufflane.etsy.com
5. luckiiarts.etsy.com
6. beadloverskorner.etsy.com
7. EstiloMargot.etsy.com
8. alemahboutique.etsy.com
9. asitcomesitgoes.etsy.com
10. WayfarerPrints.Etsy.com
11. PatricianCreations.Etsy.com
12. norhymeorreasonat40.etsy.com
13. recreationalart.etsy.com
14. alyssacritters.etsy.com
15. YorelNaturals.etsy.com
16. FromBeths.Etsy.com

And an additional shout out to a team member who is helping to cover shipping for this great basket, LuckiiArts 

So what are you waiting for! Go check it out and enter - share with your family/friends so they can enter too!

Sunshine Kids Craft Corner - Super Fun American Girl DIY Party Idea

Tweet

Our crew has had the blessing of celebrating more then 8 family birthdays over the past two months! This was a super fun DIY party idea that the girls and I worked on together and they are so cute! These little guys can be used to so many ways from centerpieces, party favors and more! Save those cans and set down with the little one's for this one. This is a great and easy way to add a little extra fun as a Thanksgiving Table Idea too !

Supplies: Empty Cans All Shapes and Sizes

 Your Favorite Paper Modge Podge

 A paint Sponge 

Ribbons Embellishments of Choice 

Tips: Make sure and use an Edge Can Opener so there are not sharp edges left on the can. Also a great trick to getting those labels off the cans is to run them though the dishwasher first~ Once they come out any label left will peel right of. 

Step 1: Measure your Can Size Height and Diameter and Cut Your Paper of Choice to the appropriate size

Step 2: Using your Paint Sponge Cover the Entire Can with Modge Podge 

Step 3: Wrap the can with your cut paper 

Step 4: Repaint the entire can with paper with the Modge Podge. 

Make sure to cover it good. 

Step 5: Set aside to dry 

Step 6: Embellish your fun can with Ribbons, Rhinestones or other Die Cut Shapes. This sample was made as a party favor for an American Girl Themed party. 

We added a little hanging ribbon on the top and it's just the perfect size to hold all those fun Doll Brush and Hair Accessories

This one is a Great Idea for a 75th Birthday Party!  These were crafted as  Floral Vases to hold flowers for a Daisy themed party. Add a little Personalized Table Confetti FromBeths and its a super cute, inexpensive and fun craft to add just a little something handmade to your event. Don't be shy! Save those can and give them a try.

You will have so much fun!

How to make a personalized invitation from a digital template

Tweet
How to make a personalized invitation from a digital template

So, as an ol’ photoshop pro, I sometimes am guilty of not considering how the other half operates (seriously how do you survive?) I recently ran into this problem head on when a client ordered one of my instant download invite’s – only to discover she had no idea what to do with it! Unfortunately I was out of town and was not able to respond or help her, thus losing a client and having to issue a refund, not to imagine the frustration on her end… I have decided to turn this bad experience into a learning opportunity for others.

Now, as anyone can tell you there are 100’s of ways to add text to an image and customize a file. For the purpose of this tutorial I am going to pick an easy (and free) method’s to edit one of my invitations (this one here). At the end of the tutorial, I will mention a few other sites/programs (also all free) that are great to utilize.

http://www.fotor.com/

I actually discovered Fotor today for the purpose of this tutorial. I like it because it is very easy to use, completely free, and I didn’t have to sign up or download anything to use it!

Step 1: Go to http://www.fotor.com/ and click on “Open a Photo”

Step 2: On the right of your screen go to “Add Photo” then “Computer”, then select your previously downloaded invite template.

Step 3: Add text! First click on the “T” in the green circle to get to your text area, then scroll through the font’s in either “Local” or “Online”. Once you find one you like, click on it and hit “Insert Text”

Step 4: You can use the tools to edit its color, size, ect. The color eyedrop tool is my favorite because I can use colors straight from the invite! Don’t be afraid to play around so you understand what these do before you move on. At any point you can edit your text by clicking on it.

Step 5: Repeat step’s 3 and 4! Just keep adding text until you are happy and have everything you need.

Step 6: If you are feeling extra adventurous check out their other tools, add clip art, ect Oh! And it will ask you to apply your changes before switching tools, always do so.

Step 7: Save! Go to the share icon and save as a jpg, highest quality on the slider bar.

Step….. YOUR DONE! At least with the design work. Now you can upload to facebook, print at home, or at a store.

Now, some other online programs that will allow you to add text (and do other awesome things as well):

http://pixlr.com/editor/

http://www.sumopaint.com/

http://www.splashup.com/

Some companies, online and storefront, that you can order prints from (and also edit):

http://photo.walgreens.com/walgreens/welcome

http://www.snapfish.com/photo-gift/welcome

http://www.cvsphoto.com/home

http://www.shutterfly.com/

http://photos.walmart.com/walmart/welcome

http://www.target.com/c/target-photo/-/N-5a1wg

I hope you will find this tutorial helpful, please comment below about your experience with any of these programs (or others). And if you are on the hunt for some invite templates feel free to check out my etsy shop (insert shameless self promotion)

-Chelsey