MissMooseDesign's Feature and Giveaway

1. Who is MissMooseDesign?

I am a stay at home mom and I just think of myself as simple. I hang my clothes out on the laundry line and I mop as often as I can force myself to. I am married to my best friend and my little girl has my heart. I craft when I have free time and enjoy every moment before it can sneak by. I love the first time you smell a charcoal grill in the spring and hate two piece bathing suits. I love reclaimed items and hand stitched quilts. You might say I’m an old soul. I don’t wear make-up but think it looks phenomenal on others. I have two rescued mutts and prefer to grow my own vegetables. If I had to iron my clothes everyday I would probably run out into traffic. I would say that I am definitely blessed beyond belief.


2. What is your Art / Craft of choice?

I love working with old stuff. Vintage buttons and old deserted quilt tops are my favorites!

3. How did you find Etsy?

I was a buyer before I was a seller :)

4. What about Chat.. How did you become addicted?

I started chatting as a promotional tool. Everyone said you needed to start making connections. So...I did. What I did not expect was to develop friendships with those little spinning and bouncing avatars. I have met some people who mean a great deal to me. Friendships I am lucky to have been blessed with. Now I chat to catch up on life stuff, laugh until my sides hurt, or offer support if needed.

5. What is your advice for other Artists and Etsy Sellers?

Let's be honest with one another...I'm not raking in the big bucks! Despite that, I love being a seller on Etsy. I think my only advice is to have fun. Etsy is not just about money. It is about a community of artists coming together and supporting one another. There is an awesome opportunity to connect with other like-minded people at your fingertips and to pass it by would be unfortunate. I have made three life long friends through Etsy that money could not replace. Not to say that you shouldn't run a shop and do it well...just don't forget to stop and smell the roses along the way.

6. What three Arts / Crafting items can you not live without?

My rotary cutter (though I am accident prone!), my Singer Futura embroidery machine, and my dremel!


7.Any last words?

Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to visit my blog http://missmoosedesigns.com/ or facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Athens-GA/Miss-Moose-Designs/100258004708!


Now.. for the giveaway:
MISSMOOSEDESIGN will give away a free market bag and a matching coffee cup sleeve :)
How to enter:

1. Go to MissMooseDesign, find your favorite item, come back here and comment (required, 1 entry)

Extra Entries:

2. Follow the Etsy Chatters Team Blog, Comment here. (1 Entry)
3. Follow EtsyChatTeam and MissMooseDesign on Twitter AND Tweet about this Contest (place link here in comment, 1 entry per day - 7 possible throughout contest!)
4. BLOG about MissMooseDesign.Etsy.Com and this Post (Leave a 2 comments here with the link, 2 entries.)
5. Purchase something from MissMooseDesign (Leave 4 comments here with link to transaction, 4 entries)
6. Submit a To-Torial to the CHATTERS Team blog to Heathenshearth or Jupita, then post here for two additional entries. (2 entries)

must have email address, or link to shop for contacting to win. in the event the # chosen does not.. We will pick another winner. Sorry, but those are the rules.
Good luck!!

Make Your Own Magnets...A How-To Tutorial!

Kristina Myers of kristinamyerscrafts gives us step-by-step instructions on how to make our magnets!

Have you ever wanted a certain magnet but couldn't find exactly what you wanted? Make your own! Here is a list of materials you will need:

1.5 inch flat glass marbles ($2.49)
Card Stock ($0.49)
Stickers or Permanent glue stick ($1.99)
Specialty glass adhesive ($5.29)
Magnets ($5.67)
Strong adhesive for magnets ($2.67)
1 1/4 inch round paper punch ($13.99)
Unscented baby wipes ($2.67)

Follow these steps to create your masterpiece!


1. Sort through the glass pieces to remove chipped, broken, or irregular marbles. Wash glass in hot soapy water. This removes dirt and oils that get on the glass during manufacturing, packaging and shipping. I let mine soak for 5 minutes.

2. Rinse with hot water. I make the water as hot as my tap will allow. The glass dries quickly with no spots.





3. Punch out card stock and affix stickers. You may choose to use images of your own. Print images on plain paper using the highest DPI your printer allows. Edit your photos before printing to find the best fit. There is an option in most photo editing software to "view" image in "actual size". I hold the glass marble up to the screen to check the fit.





4. On newspaper place cardstock (or paper) face up. Place specialty glass adhesive on center of circle. Press glass into adhesive. Make sure adhesive spreads evenly out to edges. Use baby wipe to remove extra adhesive and clean fingers in between each one. Place glue side up to dry overnight.
5. Use strong adhesive to attach the magnet to the back of the card stock. (If you printed an image, use the permanent glue stick to attach a piece of card stock to the back of the glass before gluing the magnet.) Allow to dry for 24 hours for best results.












If this sounds too complicated or expensive... you can buy 6 magnets for $7 from her shop at http://kristinamyerscrafts.etsy.com!

Flowerleaf's Chatters Treasury

Chat regular Flowerleaf has made a new Treasury featuring a selection of the talented members of the Etsy Chatters Team. Check it out live here until early Thursday July 30 (Chatters love visits, clicks and comments).

Kokopinto.Etsy.Com Features Chatter Giveaway WINNER

"Congratulations to NotQuitePhotoJENic! Please email me your critter pick asap so I can email you back your PDF set. Thank you all for participating!"

In Loving Memory of Uleen Toovey aka Chroma

This past Saturday, one of our fellow Chat Team members, and our friend, died during a white water rafting accident. Uleen, known to most of us as Chromasmear, was dear to many of us, and we are all saddened by the sudden loss. Our hearts go out to her family in their time of grief.

Each of us remembers her for something. Whether it was her indomitable spirit when it came to fighting for the causes of animals, supporting shelters and rescues in an attempt to give them all a chance at finding a loving home, or her tireless work ethic and ideals toward perfection when it came to creating banners for our shops - working and re-working them as much as necessary so that we were happy with her work.

There is a poem, in Norse Canon that is called the Havamal, or Sayings of the High One. It is a collection of pithy, and not so pithy, advice on how to live an honorable life, and how to keep out of trouble. One of the best known verses to Norse Pagans (called Heathens), is

Cattle die, Kinsmen die,
one day you die yourself;
but the words of praise will not perish
when a man wins fair fame.

I was asked to write her memorial post, as I had talked to her quite frequently, both in late night chat, as well as off etsy. It has been hard for me to come up with something to say that I feel will remember her best, because this isn't only about my memories of her, but all of ours. Each of us knew her in our own way, had our own relationship with her. She was the voice of reason in the chat rooms, the one we could talk to when we needed to vent steam about our shops, someone to laugh with just to pass the time... So I would like to invite all of you to share your favorite memory of her here in this entry.

No matter how large or small a way, she touched our lives, however briefly, and while each of us will grieve her loss in our own ways, grief that is shared is lessened. By each of our words, by sharing our experiences of her, and with her, I believe that she will live on in each of us.

Her latest project was going to be a sampler box collection with the proceeds going to a local animal rescue. As that is no longer possible, her family is requesting that donations be given to our local animal shelters and rescues in her memory, so that her work of aiding these furbabies in need can continue.

No matter how you choose to memorialize her, to remember her, know that each thought shared, each gift in her honor, will keep her alive for us all. Below is a poem she wrote and published earlier this year.

You were never an outsider to us Chroma, and we all miss you, and wish you well on your journey.

The Outsider

I am the one you called strange,
You never tried to understand.
My determined apathy amused you,
Do you know how loneliness feels?
Your blows of cruel judgement would fire,
My shiny armour absorbed it all.
My soul scared from your attack,
A decade passes,
My soul still howls in pain.
You thought I was the slow one,
It is sad you couldn't comprehend.
Denial of all compassionate guilt,
Your small world shall never grow.
Just leave me in that far corner,
Your worth didn't earn one tear.
Your empty values rewarded you nothing,
Angry power you sought over me,
Never empowered your black world.
I am the one you called strange,
When it was you who sought emptiness.

Copyright ©2009 Uleen Ann Toovey

Another news article.

mbell34's Treasury stars chatters

Our own Etsy Chatters Team member mbell34 has made a delightful new Treasury featuring chat regulars. You'll want to visit it live until early Tuesday morning here.

Weekend Deals from the Etsy Chat Team

This weekend only, save 20% on everything in Balanced's shop! Mention code "weekend deals" at checkout and wait for a revised invoice or pay right away and your refund will be issued via Paypal. Happy shopping!

Grandma62 is offering 10% off any of her vintage silver items...be sure to check out this awesome deal!

Heathen's Hearth is offering free shipping to the US and Canada and $7.50 flat rate shipping to all other international destinations. Be sure to check out their Sale and Clearance Section for items marked down 30-50%.

Take 10% off with promo code ETCSAVE10% at modmomME this weekend!

Check out barrobabe for some already amazing marked down prices this weekend!

Save up to 65% off at FaeriedTreasures...just take a look at her Sale Section for some awesome deals!

Owlonthesill is offering 15% off the final total on any purchases in her shop. Just mention "chat team" in the message to seller when checking out!


HollandHandiCrafts has Buy 3 = get 4th free (custom color requests) on Hair ties, Baby Booties and collars. Just put "EtsyChat" & color choices in message to seller and you will be refund via paypal.

Take 10% off plus get free shipping when you shop at smellyrhino! Also, if you make any purchase, your name will be put in for a random drawing for a free print!

Coocoos has free shipping in her shop for the entire month of July! Stop by and check it out!

HandCraftedByKaren winner.....

Congrats to commenter # 1:

balanced. said...
My fav item is the Cucumber melon candles. :)

July 10, 2009 12:59 PM

Balanced.. Please Convo HANDCRAFTEDBYKAREN on Etsy with your mailing information!!

All others who commented on handcraftedbykaren's feature/contest before today, you can convo HandCraftedByKaren and receive a 25% discount on ONE item in her shop!!

Congrats to all!

KoKoPinto is sooo adorable.. come see!

SHOP: http://kokopinto.etsy.com
BLOG: http://kokopinto.blogspot.com
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/kokopinto
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/kokopinto


And my interview:


1. Who is Kokopinto?

I am Kathea Pinto, I just turned 24. I live with my mum and my 6-year old brother Joaquin who is basically the second-in-command of the whole Kokopinto shop! The name “Kokopinto” actually has a weird history about it. Who would want a brand name associated with an ex-boyfriend, right? Well it was back in college and we have been broken up for a few months when he sent me a brown teddy bear in hopes of us getting back together. I just thought then ‘hmm, he is cuckoo about me’, ‘hmm, cuckoo, kookoo, koko, I’ll name the bear Koko!’ Then it was also during that time that I was studying brand identities in school and it basically came clear to me that I just struck a gold mine! If ever he is reading this, for the record, I came up with the name and stop Google-ing me.


In a deeper sense of it all, Kokopinto somewhat means “doors to crazy rooms in my imaginative noggin” as -pinto is “door” in my native tongue.


2. What kind of crafting/art do you do? How long have you been doing it?

I paint, I draw but mostly I love creating stuff in 3D. So aside from my Playdoh critters, I’m good with paper mache. And if I knew how to pottery or jewelry, I might do well with those too. I’ve been painting and drawing as long as I could remember. I’m also good with painting in a large scale. Like big plain white walls. I did theater props and backdrop throughout high school, then I did a massive painted mural project for Burger King 2-3 years ago, and happy that they still haven’t painted over it.


(You can find documentation here http://www.behance.net/kokopinto and here http://artiste.multiply.com/photos/album/34/Burger_King_Murals )


I made the Playdoh Critters to divert my fear of sheets of clean paper and canvas and basically Playdoh was competing abundance with paper at home, I mean with the mess, if you know what I mean. I can paint and draw on big walls but I suck in painting on small paper and canvas. I hate wasting paper and I hated erasers. Fine art school and Photoshop did that for me I guess, our professors told me then to be sure of our strokes and erase as little as possible. I've never been so sure of my strokes haha, so I just hated erasers instead. And I’m quite the perfectionist too and that doesn’t work well with Impressionism I guess. So I need more training on that realm. But for now, I’m quite happy with my Playdoh critters as they are now moving on to archival prints (I’m working on these lovely dioramas now, have yet to see how that works out) and perhaps on wall decals as well, large scale wall décor are still my best friends.
3. Where do you pull your inspiration from?

Being a full time nanny to my brother, picking up after his toys, cleaning up his mess and then during his school and nap time, I get to surf Etsy and a whole lot of other sites, seeing million wonders of the world in a click.
4. What is your favorite medium?

I find acrylic paint and Playdoh both juicy and yummy, I drool, literally, and Photoshop, making the perfectionist in me survive but more like indulging it.



5. Is Etsy your art your full time job, or just an on the side project?

I worked different jobs and gigs, graphic designer, stylist, art director, muralist, before finally settling in on a one track plan last year - to put up my own business, basically selling what I can produce. I did well with being told what to do but couldn’t really see myself doing it on a long term basis, so the stubbornness won and I just had to become my own boss. I’m still working on a few kinks like I still get my own coffee and would wish to do that for the rest of my life even if 6-year old assistants are readily available. Etsy made me quit my job/s because they offered me more than a job. Etsy offered me a whole life’s work to be had.
6. How did you find Etsy?

I stumbled on this seller’s camera case – http://hine.etsy.com and everything just came after that.
7. How did you become ADDICTED to Etsy CHAT?

Every time I Etsy chat, I discover a whole bunch of new artisans that make me go, “where have you been hiding?” then I stalk them for sometime and when I could squeeze in a bit of blogging, I turn into a really obsessed fan (it doesn't show much) and do a write up about them.
8. What is your favorite piece that you have done?

My favorite pieces right now are the Playdoh critters. I've never came up with anything that grows.
9. What is your favorite Etsy shop (other than yours)?

These are the ones I know by heart: thisisalliknow, fifilapin, littlebrownpen, upupcreative, creativethursday, sarahseven, monograft, rachelmarssden and well a whole lot more!


10. Tips for other Artists?

All artists actually became artists because they do what they love to do, so I can't really say anything more that we all already know on that part. So my two cents would be about these:


When typing your shop or blog URL like on a blog post or a link share, drop the “www” already. People remember your shop name more when they see it first and without the “www”. The “https://” is okay because it is necessary to make it into a working link in some and well it looks complete, but the “www” is a bit too much especially if your shop name is long plus the host site’s name.


If you can already, go green.
Finish the food on your plate, learn to estimate.
Read more, listen more, watch more, eat more, visit more of things and places you don’t usually read, listen, watch, eat, and visit.
11. Tell me a Secret about yourself.

HBO always grants my movie wishes. I think of an old or new movie I want to see, then in a day or two, they’ll be showing it. I recently thought of What Dreams May Come and Sleepless in Seattle and they are showing it right now. Occassionally, I'm part psychic in TV movie guides, in my artworks, and in dreams.
12. Any parting words of wisdom

It’s always ALWAYS better making something out of nothing than nothing out of something.

Giveaway: For every SIX participants in this giveaway, I will draw ONE WINNER who will get a Playdoh Critter Printable Set (gift tags, note cards, letterhead, envelope, PLUS bookmarks, and monthly planner) so if there will be 18 participants, 3 printable sets will be at stake! If there will be 40, I will give away 7 printable sets and so on and so forth! So tell your friends about this for more chances of winning!!

1. Follow (publically) the The Etsy Chatters Blog (www.etsychatters.blogspot.com) and leave a comment here.
2. Go to http://kokopinto.etsy.com and heart your favorite critters and tell us about it with a comment. (Required + 1 entry)
3. Post it on Facebook with Facebook Connect on Etsy and tell us about it with another comment here. (+1 entry)
4. Follow my blog http://kokopinto.blogspot.com (+1 entry) OR become a fan of my facebook fan page http://facebook.com/kokopinto (+1 entry). Do both and you get 3 entries. Comment here if you’re a fan and/or a follower.
5. Blog about this and you get 3 entries. Comment here the link to your blog post.
6. Tweet about this and you get another entry. Each retweet will earn you an extra entry.(One tweet per day) Comment here the links to your retweets.
7. Make a purchase at kokopinto.etsy.com and leave a comment here with a link to the transaction. (+2 entries)

So that’s 12 entries plus your extra entries per retweet!

And the next Etsy Chat Team promotion is....

Halloween/Fall Challenge!!!

As you can see by the vote, it was a close poll....the results are as follows:

The original idea of the Halloween/Fall Challenge goes like this....."Team member shops come up with a really great item to list in their shop that is Halloween/Fall themed....let's say by October 1st. From there we post a list of the items, with a description, photo and link to the item/shop, and have a vote on our blog where readers can choose their favorite. Good way to motivate shops to be creative, and gets some exposure for the Team and each shop."

As an addition to this, we could also run a Team Wide Halloween Sale once we get the items from the challenge posted in our shops and on the team blog.

So...now that we have our promotion chosen, lets discuss it! I've created a new Forum Topic at our Ning page to discuss this and/or you can post here!

Happy Chatting,

Misty

Once Upon A Beautiful Blue

A beautiful, calm and refreshing look into some of the artists of the Etsy Chat Team!

And the winner is....

The winner of theframedfrog giveaway $25 gift certificate is NotQuitePhotoJENic !

Congrats NotQuitePhotoJENic and thank you to everyone who entered!

Happy chatting (and shopping)!

HandCraftedByKaren is AWESOMEEEEEEE!

Chatters, I would like to introduce you to HandCraftedByKaren!!

1. Who is HandCraftedByKaren?

My name is Karen St. Dennis. I am Married and have 3 kids a dog and a hamster. I live in Upstate NY. (North of Albany). I am 39 and have been crafting for probably about 30 yrs or more. I work during the school year as a cashier in the cafeteria of the Jr/Sr High school (I steal kids lunch money).

2. What kind of crafting/art do you do? How long have you been doing it?

Mostly I 'loom knit' I have been loom knitting for about a year now. I started this hobby when my friend was doing it and I thought that I could do that too. It gave me something to do when I was waiting for my kids to finish swim lessons. I have also done seed bead jewelry (Native American style barrettes and earrings) as well as a lot of other different kinds of crafting.

3. Where do you pull your inspiration from?

A lot of my inspiration comes from fellow Etsyians. There is so much talent out there and a lot of things I would never have even thought of. Also from the Internet and different craft sites and patterns available.

4. What is your favorite medium?

Different kinds of fun and interesting and colorful yarn.

5. Is Etsy your art your full time job, or just an on the side project?

Etsy started out being a side project, but during the summer I don't get a paycheck from a regular job so it's kind of my 'summer job'


6. How did you find Etsy?

My friend found Etsy in the back of a magazine that her kindergarten son brought home from school. "Parent and Child' she thinks. She thought that maybe we could try it.

7. How did you become ADDICTED to Etsy CHAT?

Before I even listed anything in my "shop" I went into a few chat rooms to 'get the feel of things, ask questions and learn before I got too involved. Some of the Etsyians were very harsh and not wanting to offer any information or help, kept directing me to the forums (didn't know where to even find them)and such. Then I found the 'room' that I normally go in where I found some really friendly and helpful people. Some how I just can't stay away. lol

8. What is your favorite piece that you have done?

Wow, isn't that like asking which child is your favorite? hmmmm My favorite piece I've done is? either the plushies or the Easter eggs. They were pretty fun to make.

9. What is your favorite Etsy shop (other than yours)?

Talk about a difficult question. There are so many wonderful shops out there. I honestly don't think I can pick a favorite shop, not even a favorite medium? Just way too many talented people out here in Etsyland.

10.Tips for other Artists?

I think the best think I could tell someone is 'make what you love'. If you don't LOVE your craft, pick something else. You want this to be fun less like 'work' and I think if you Love what you do, it will show in your work.



11.Tell me a Secret about yourself.

I'm not Susie Homemaker or Betty Crocker.

12. Any parting words of wisdom

Be yourself. Everyone has their own speed, their own niche, an their own style. Don't be part of the cookie cutter mold.


HandCraftedByKaren is Giving away a 10$ Credit to be used towards any purchase in her shop, to one lucky winner..
Winner will be chosen by random.org on July 17!

How do you enter? Simple:

1 entry: go to www.HandCraftedByKaren.etsy.com and pick your fav item. Come back here and leave a comment on what it is!! (required)

1 entry: TWEET this giveaway and post a link to the tweet here.

1 entry: Blog this giveaway and post a link in your comment here

1 entry: follow the blog, and comment here.

2 entries: buy an item from handcraftedbykaren.etsy.com and leave a comment here with a link to the transaction (TWICE)

(SIX Entries possible!!)

Does spelling matter?

What about grammar? I'm not talking about the immediacy of chat or even forums or convos here, but about the less transient communication on Etsy. When it comes to listings, profiles, policies, or shop announcements, does it matter to potential customers if the spelling is off, the word use or punctuation wrong, or if the grammar isn't what it might be?

Here's an example, from Etsy itself. If you've ever decided to end a Treasury early (as I did one day when my current Treasury was set to expire in a couple of hours anyway, and I wanted to get a new one in), you'll have seen this message.

The error that jumps out is the "it's." The ONLY time there is ever an apostrophe in "it's" is when it is used as a contraction of "it is." Not as a possessive, not as a plural; only as a contraction.

Yes, I may be a bit of a stickler on this subject, but just as Etsians put so much time and effort into their work, their photographs, their banners, packaging, marketing and so on, isn't making a positive, professional impression in words important too?

Some others I see in various shops:

Stationary instead of Stationery. If you're selling paper products, they're stationery (with the e). Stationary describes something that's not moving; it's not an alternate or British/Canadian spelling for writing paper and cards!

Typos / spellos (sometimes appearing both ways in a single listing): Pendent instead of pendant. lable instead of label, saphire instead of sapphire. Spell-check in your word processing software will catch most of them, but if you have any doubt, look it up! This isn't just about being a slave to accuracy; mis-spelling in titles and tags can affect your search results, and that can affect your sales!

No one expects rigid adherence to all the rules - especially in such a multinational and multilingual place - but is it worth a try, or does it really not matter?

Judith (aka jswrites)

Twitter, and a request

For those who Twitter (tweet tweet), the Etsy Chat Team has a Twitter now!

@EtsyChatTeam !!

Add us. When you have a sale, new posting, promotion, anything you want to share... please @ us!!

www.twitter.com/EtsyChatTeam

Also, currently Misty and Jenn (heathenshearth and jupita) are running the Blogspot, Twitter, & Ning. If you would like to help the team by running the Twitter account.. please Convo Jupita or Heathenshearth.

If you are interested in doing a weekly post in the Blog, please convo Heathenshearth or Jupita and let us know you are interested, and what you would like to bring to the blog!!

It was suggested that we have a "Team Shop". I will look into the ins and outs, and speak more with heathenshearth in the days upcoming in regards to this. The who, whats and hows all have to be figured out before we take this project on!!

Thanks,

Jupita
www.jupita.etsy.com
www.dropsofjupita.etsy.com

An awesome giveaway

Our very own modmomME is having a giveaway hosted by Savvy Stitcher! Be sure you click HERE, give it a read, and then enter!

C'mon, let's promote one of our team members!

Do you Ning?

If not, you should! Did you know that the Etsy Chat Team has a Ning Social Network that serves as our "base of operations"? It's a great place to interact with other team members, post photos, start some great discussions, etc. Find it HERE!

I've spent most of the morning making some changes to our site, so you'll find it looking pretty and fresh ;-). Also, check out the Forums, as I have created categories to help manage and more easliy find discussions.

If you are an Etsy Chat Team member but haven't registered for our Ning network, do so now!

Chat Team Member Round-up!

I am putting together a list of Member e-mail addresses so Jupita and I can quickly and easily send out announcements.

Please email me at heathenshearth@gmail.com so I have your email addy!

Thanks!!!

Hey Chat Team!

Jupita posted this a week ago today asking all team members to brainstorm and come up with some fun ideas for promoting The Etsy Chatters Team.

So far we have a few great ideas, but before we put this to vote, I want to make sure everyone's been heard....so in essence, speak now or forever hold your peace ;-)

Here are the ideas so far:

• Sampler Group Boxes: where we create sampler style boxes with (choose a #) chatter's shops per box (example, 4 shops per box, which means one item from each shop per box). Each "group" member supplies that many items for the boxes. They send each of the participants of their "group" an item. Each member creates a box and lists it in their shop, each box being listed at the same price as the others.

• Halloween/Fall Challenge: where team member shops come up with a really great item to list in their shop that is Halloween/Fall themed....let's say by October 1st. From there we post a list of the items, with a description, photo and link to the item/shop, and have a vote on our blog where readers can choose their favorite. Good way to motivate shops to be creative, and gets some exposure for the Team and each shop. (This could be changed or also done for Winter/Christmas, etc.)

• Sampler Box/Theme Basket Blog Giveaway: For example, participating team shops would send their items to a Team Lead (Misty @ Heathenshearth or Jupita, to be determined later) and they compile a couple of bags/baskets from the items, take photos of the baskets, and post on the blog. Then have members, followers, etc post comments on the blog and we chose winners (dependant on how many bags/baskets we make up) using random. org.

• Etsy Chatters Team Sale: We can plan a weekend sale (maybe for August or September) and all team members who want to participate could decide what sort of sale they want to run (i.e. free shipping, 10% store-wide, 25% off orders over $50, etc etc the possibilities are endless) and use code "Etsy Chatters Team" for sale prices. After we get a list of who is participating and what their sale is, we can put together a blog post listing them in alphabetical order (or maybe even sorted by craft). Everyone can put it in their shop announcement with a link back to the blog post. We can all separately promote the Team sale using blogger, twitter, facebook, etc...whatever you use.

• Etsy Chatters Team-wide Chat-a-thon / Sell-a-thon: - Select one weekend (Friday evening to Sunday night, Etsy time) when every participating shop would have a promotion of some sort - BOGO, free shipping, gift with purchase, percent off, gift wrapping - whatever works best for the individual shop. - We promote the heck out of the weekend, with threads on the forums, posts on team members' individual blogs, Tweets and Ning messages flying across the internet, Treasuries made to highlight the team and participating shops, and (something no other team ever does), maintaining a chat room about the fun, all weekend long. - Participating shops, and other Team members, each 'adopt' an hour or more during the weekend to be responsible for Etsy-based promotion during their designated time. I'll have opened a chat room and Etsy forum threads, but as we know, chat rooms can die if they're not active, and forum threads fall off the main page if they don't get attention, so there needs to be a conversation going on there too, in both the Teams and Promotions categories. The forum and our Team blog would be another way to list all the participating shops, with their links.

Let's get some more ideas rolling! I will be checking this periodically and Jupita and I will post a poll on the blog in the next couple days!