Melissa runs two shops, ThingsinStuff and Butterflyeffect. She will be at our show on Sunday, Dec. 13th at Fenario from 11-5.

Meet Your Maker (MYM): Describe what you make and how you got your start.

Melissa (M): My husband (Brandon) and I opened up ThingsinStuff on Etsy in January 2007. My neighbor Alysse, introduced me to Etsy. What a great place. Brandon makes sustainable, eco-friendly wooden toys. He obtains wood scraps from local woodworking shops. His favorites are the catapults! We've both been making goods for 10+ years. I make all kinds of things. At the present I've been making these fun pixie hoodEs inspired by the Magical Realm all around us. I make wool wall hangings to bring you into that world. I also make Wings and Faerie Dresses for Sweet Potato Pie here in Eugene.

For Butterflyeffect shop, I make fun and funky sustainable clothing/accessories for all to enjoy. Right now I'm making leaf pouches out of recycled materials. (more from the woodland theme ) They seem to be a big hit. I've been selling them all over the planet.

MYM: Is this your largest source of income, or do you have another job?

M:For me, Etsy is just one of source of income.

MYM: Any advice for someone considering making the leap from hobby crafting to selling?

M:Do what you love and love what you do.

MYM: Have you had any big breaks? How did they happen?

M: Well when we were living in Taos, New Mexico. I was approached to make several alter cloths for a Buddhist Zendo. I was also approached at FaeriesWorld by a photographer and he wanted me to design and make costumes for his business, which was Faerie Portraits. Never got that call.

MYM: What are your most effective marketing/promoting tips?

M: Have good clear pictures of your goods. Communication is really "key" when talking to potential customers. There is Twitter, Facebook; the more places your goods are online the more eyes see it. Posting at least 3 times a day on etsy is helpful.

MYM: Where else can we find you online?

M: At my blog and on Twitter.

Vicki Ash of Knotty Girl Designs will be at our show at Fenario on Sun., Dec. 13th from 11-5.

You can find more of Vicki's work here.

Meet Your Maker (MYM): Describe what you make and how you got your start.

Vicki Ash (VA): I make a variety of hand-knitted and felted items. I started knitting in 4-H, so about 17 years and counting. I just recently started getting into felting some of my projects and have found it to be very fun and creative. The current hot seller I make are the crazy stuffed animal hedgehogs! I also make all sorts of bags and socks. Sometimes I do venture out for the occasional sweater - whatever I'm in the mood to create.

MYM: Is this your largest source of income or do you have another job?

VA: By day I'm a payroll accountant at Murphy Company, a local plywood mill; by night, I knit like crazy for stress relief and a creative
outlet!

MYM: Any advice to someone about making the leap from hobby crafting to selling?

VA: Even though I'm selling my stuff on etsy and at craft fairs, for me it's still a hobby. Someday down the road, I wouldn't mind making
this a business. Right now I'm just enjoying sharing my creations with others.

MYM: Have you had any big breaks? How did they happen?

VA: I haven't really had any big breaks, though lots of people love my knitted hedgehogs. I just found something unique and try to make that my main focus while also trying out new ideas.

MYM: Where else can we find you online?

VA: Etsy is where you can check out my current items for sale.
Knotty Girl Designs on Facebook is where I keep updates for what's happening in my knitting world.

Jamie Burress will be at our Nov. 22nd and Dec. 13th shows. You can find more of her work in her etsy shop.

Meet Your Maker (MYM): Describe what you make, how, and when you got your start.
Jamie (JB): I've been making stained glass art since 1997, when my friend Shelley showed me the basics and I taught myself the rest through trial and error. I started off making stained glass windows, then a few years later, with boxes and boxes of scrap glass that I had left over from all my previous projects, I started making mosaics. I don't like throwing anything away, so I find a way to use even the smallest of glass pieces. A couple years ago I bought a kiln and have been really excited about all the possibilities of fusing glass. I also sew costumes, knit, paint, and do all kinds of random crafty stuff.

MYM: Is this your largest source of income or do you have another job?
JB: I work part time at The Art of Glass in Eugene, and the rest of the time I do craft fairs, have art shows all over Eugene, and sell small glass pieces at Sweet Life, The Redoux Parlour, Kitsch, and Deluxe.

MYM: Any advice to someone about making the leap from hobby crafting to selling?
JB: Be extra careful pricing your items to make sure you're actually going to be making a profit for yourself. Get really nice, professional looking pictures of your various items for use in brochures, advertising, or your website. I've had good luck Googling businesses and gift shops to find places I think my items would sell well in, then emailing pictures of my products to them (or sending a printed brochure with price list) and asking if they'd like a free sample. Usually most places I send free samples to end up placing orders for more.

MYM: Have you had any big breaks? How did they happen?
JB: The biggest break I ALMOST had (haha!) was going to be making a stained glass window for Anna Nicole Smith's house in the Bahamas. Anna was friends with my friend Sandy, and had seen and liked my art at Sandy's house. She wanted me to make a stained glass window of a lady with her features, with flowing blond hair, and wearing a pink corset. I was really excited about it, because I knew she had a reality TV show, and thought I'd get some business from my window being in her house. On my way to the glass store a few days later to buy glass to make the window, I turned on my car radio I heard the news that she had died. I thought it was a joke, but nope.

MYM: What are your most effective marketing/promoting tips?
JB: Sending free samples if it's a place out of town, then calling a week later to talk to somebody and ask what they thought about it. Personally bringing in samples if you're trying to promote your items at local shops.

MYM: Where else can we find you online?
On facebook and myspace.

One of our sponsors, GloryBee Foods, is hosting craft classes at their facility. Visit their website for more information.

When: Saturday, November 7th, 2009 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What: Time to get ready for the fall craft season! Come for a day of demonstrations, door prizes, refreshments and fun! Whatever your craft — soap, candle, skin care — we have the ingredients and ideas for your handmade holiday gifts.Free event.

Where: GloryBee Foods, Inc.
            55 N. Seneca Rd.
            Eugene, OR 97402

Demo Schedule:

10:30 AM to 11:30 PM – Making Votive Candles

12:30 to 1:30 – Melt and Pour Soap Making

2:30 to 3:30 – Making Bath Salts