A New Team Avatar and Name, New Members Welcome!

Whether you live in Tennessee, or your heart lies here, come join us! We now have a new team name and avatar to reflect the desire to grow and include everyone who loves this state to share in what local artisans are creating and celebrate the unique shopping experiences Tennessee has to offer!

Featured Shops

Our first featured shop will be local jewelry artist, HillBillyBaubles!

Follow our team facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Murfreesboro-Etsy-Team/109313592487617 and or the etsy team boards to be featured. You do not need to be an Etsy seller; this blog is for all local artisans and buyers. Refer your friends :)

This picture is our next featured artist's hand stamped jewelry: http://www.etsy.com/listing/75090933/copper-2-disk-hand-stamped-customized

Hello From Your New Etsy Team Leader

Hello everyone and thank you so much for allowing me to be captain of the Middle Tennessee Etsy team. I am really excited to hopefully take the team in a more business oriented direction, to help promote our shops and let local buyers know about our items.

Please help me to make the team as active as we can for better networking and participation. Any time you want me to blog about your shop or something new you are making, let me know!

So many of us on the team are not from Tennessee, so please chime in, if you know of any local arts and crafts events.

Please share our blog with your friends on facebook and twitter. My personal twitter is @MylanaEtsy and my facebook is http://www.facebook.com/Mylana.creations.

Business Tip of the Day: This is a photo of my latest packaging. Including a picture of your packaging in your etsy listing as one of the photos helps buyers to perceive your product as more professional.

2 New Members, 3 New Shops!

This month we have two new members and one returning member under a new shop!
We're up to 31 members!!!

First off, our returning member Candace has a shop all her own now. Cinnamon Candies has mineral make-up and skin care treats.

New shop Zadzukki has colorful hand-knit items.

And last, but not least, our newest jewelry contributor is Blonde Betty Designs.

Be sure to stop by their shops and check out their stuff!!!

Don't forget about our facebook page!!!


 - The MET: http://www.etsy.com/teams/5505/murfreesboro-etsy-team

Sunday Shop

What better way to celebrate Mother's Day than to feature a jewelry shop? Kim Mullins' jewelry shop is vibrant and her jewelry is versatile, to say the least. At Gemama you'll find handcrafted jewelry..."with an attitude."

This swarovski crystal wrap bracelet makes a bold statement. It would be great to add some flavor to a t-shirt and jeans ensemble. You could even use it to spice up your little black dress.

If you want to add a little fun to your day, use these long volcano swarovski crystal earrings. Do you like the style, but think 1.5 inches is a little long? Well, Kim also has shorter ones. 

The greens in this pendant are beautiful. It would be fabulous with a little silver clutch and some black earrings. Any simple chain would be great for it. Keep it simple though, because this pendant doesn't need any help. It's gorgeous.


What got you interested in making jewelry, Kim?
About six years ago, a friend's girlfriend showed me some of her beaded jewelry and gave me a necklace and earrings. My husband said my eyes lit up. He remembered that I used to paint and thought I would enjoy making jewelry. He gave me some tools to get started that Christmas, and I've been hooked ever since.


Where do you find your inspiration?
I find inspiration just about every where, but my favorite inspirations come from nature's colors: fall leaves, daylilies, the sun setting on the ocean, etc. There are so many wonderful color combinations in the scenery around us.


What is your favorite thing to create?
Currently, my favorite thing to make is anything that involves wire working and hammering sterling silver. My wirework pieces take the longest to make. The featured wrap bracelet takes me about an hour to make, but I get instant gratification from the finished product. I started out beading, then added wire work and fused glass. Next, I want to start soldering pieces and make pendants, rings, etc.


What are some of your other interests?
Can't pass up an opportunity for some more shameless self promotion. I sell Mary Kay and get to use some of the same creativity I use in making jewelry when helping women select make up colors that compliment their hair color, eye color, skin tone, etc. I also love scary movies and books. I'm currently reading the new Sookie Stackhouse book, Dead Reckoning.


Thank you so much, Kim!


-The Murfreesboro Etsy Team: http://www.etsy.com/teams/5505/murfreesboro-etsy-team


featured shop: gemama

Two New Shops!

We'd like to welcome our two new shops to the team:


EsthersAntechamber - "we offer body care, custom made costuming, and accessories for the off-beat world"


JamieBowwe - bright, colorful, young rings and earrings


Welcome, ladies!


-The MET

Sunday Shop

Jennifer Mills of MillsDesignCo has a firm grip on what vintage is really all about: the love of fashion.
You won't find just any old thing in her shop. The things you find in her shop are things that aspiring designers have been striving to create for decades. 
These wonderful wing tip heels are something that you would buy first. Then you would search for the perfect complimenting dress later. They don't make shoes like this anymore. 

You can't tell me that this vintage wedding dress wasn't something you would plan a wedding around. Look at the lace detail. The back has beautiful buttons all the way down to the bottom of your bum. 

My favorite of her featured pieces is this leather belt. This belt would do fabulously with a button up shirt-dress and some cowboy boots. You could pair it with a plain sundress. You could even put it with a dark green cardigan and tan skirt. The possibilities are endless.


Do you have favorite places to dig for your fashion treasures?
I love going to estate sales. I have made friends with some people in my area who host estate sales so they usually let me have a sneak peek at the sale before everybody else :) I also go to a lot of yard sales and thrift stores with my Mother-In-Law. We started hunting for goodies together about five years ago and it became a weekend ritual! 


Are there any specific items that you love finding?
Oh goodness...are there any specific items that I DON'T love finding?! haha! Truthfully, I love everything! But I have a soft spot for apparel: clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories. I like luggage and housewares too, but not as much as I love clothes and shoes! 


What is your favorite time period for fashion?
I love the 1940's and 50's when the heels were thick and women were really beginning to venture out in their style. Dresses and shoes were unique and made with love. There's nothing better than the style of Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Grace Kelly....Those ladies really set an example for future generations and left their fingerprints on specific styles that will never be forgotten. I mean, who can look at a white halter dancing dress and not think of Marilyn?!


What started your passion for vintage?
Well, I've always loved old stuff! When I was a young teenager my Mom and I went to my Grandmother's house to help clean out the basement...I came across a big box of clothes from the 60's - 70's and fell in love! I spent all of 8th grade in my Mom's old polyester shirts and bell bottom jeans! All of my friends would say, "Wow! Where did you get that shirt?" I never told anybody that my clothes were 30 years old! As I got older, my passion for vintage clothes broadened from groovy jeans and bold patterns to more classy styles that I could wear out to dinner with my husband. Now, at 30 years old... it's become more of lifestyle than a hobby.


Thank you so much, Jennifer for participating in this week's Sunday Shop. 


-The Murfreesboro Etsy Team: http://www.etsy.com/teams/5505/murfreesboro-etsy-team

featured shop: MillsDesignCo.
featured shop's fb fan page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mills-Design-Co/106403369393877?sk=wall