Wilde Designs

Manic Monday: Jamie of Love In Everything

2013-05-20T08:34:00.000-05:00

Jamie of Love In Everything Shop | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Tell us about yourself and your shop I am a mother of three boys, who learn at home, and in the world around them. I have always had a huge passion for protecting the environment, as well as a disappointment in the lack of fun clothing available for boys. This combination has lead to the creation of fun, comfortable, stylish, Upcycled clothing. I mainly use thrifted t-shirts in the creation of each garment, and love combining colours and patterns, making each piece unique. My focus goes back and forth between more feminine clothing ie ruffles ( with three boys, I need my girly fix from time to time) and a more casual look, tees, and hoodies. I also make baby booties from recycled leather, and quilts from re-purposed fabric. All in all there is a strong focus on saving the landfill from un-necessary waste, as well as creating one of a kind clothing to express individuality.

What made you decide to open an online shop? Well, mainly the fact that I was making a lot of girls clothing, without having any little girls in my life. I thought I would take a shot at trying to share my work with others.

What is your current favorite item in your shop? That is always a difficult question. Usually my favoutite item is the item I'm working on, ruufly things at the moment. What is your favorite quote? There are lots of quotes that are my favoutite, but as I am trying to live in the moment, which is turning out to be much more chellanging then I thought, this quote is fitting. “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
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Manic Monday: Angela of Ao Designs

2013-05-13T08:30:00.003-05:00

Angela of Ao Designs

Shop | Facebook

Tell us about yourself and your shop

I opened in 2008 right between the births of my first and second child.

I love the personal aspect of hand stamped jewelry and the uniqueness of it being hand made.

I make hand stamped jewelry as well as pet id tags, items for men and fine silver pieces.

What made you decide to open an online shop?

I wanted to do something creative with my free time at home, and the extra income wasn't half bad also.

What is your current favorite item in your shop?

cuff bracelets

What is your favorite quote?

In any storm, I refuse to Sink.

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Wilde's Wordless Wednesday

2013-05-08T09:27:00.001-05:00

AR 4618, originally uploaded by idldesigns.

Manic (and otherwise) Hiatus

2013-04-03T08:31:00.001-05:00

Typewriter, originally uploaded by kawwsu29.

For the month of April, I'll be participating in Camp NaNoWriMo, which is basically just National Novel Writing Month on an off month. You get to pick your own word count and write whatever you like - though I confess I am still attempting a full 50k word novel. For that reason, Manic Monday (feel free to apply by clicking the link on the lefthand menu) will be on hiatus for the month of April and will be back bright and happy and refreshed (while I am tired and overworked) in May.

I may end up posting here and there because I can't help it, so we'll just consider those bonuses.

The Road to 1,500

2013-03-28T10:53:00.002-05:00

I'm approaching 1,500 likes on Facebook, so I am asking for your help to get the rest of the way there! Once I do, I will be hosting a giveaway. I'd also love your thoughts on what you'd like to see offered. Click the poll here and let me know what YOU want to win from Wilde Designs.

Wilde's Wordless Wednesday

2013-03-27T15:11:00.001-05:00

Watermelon Geode Pendant, Green & Pink Agate Slice, originally uploaded by I'm cindylouwho2.

Tracey Krause of Artisans in the Andes

2013-03-25T08:40:00.004-05:00

Tracey Krause of Artisans in the Andes

Site | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Tell us about yourself and your shop

The story of my new shop is quite a tale! My family and I moved to Ecuador from Canada in June 2012. My husband and I are adventurous people and have lived all over the world, but we had been living in Canada for most of the lives of our children. It was one of our life goals to introduce our kids to another culture, a different economic reality, and a different set of values. After much research, we sold all our belongings, quit our jobs and resettled in South America.

I have two other goals, one is to start my own business and another is to help women in developing countries towards sustainable livelihoods. With those ideas in mind, I started www.ArtisansintheAndes.com which launched in January 2013. Through Artisans in the Andes, I work with local Ecuadorian artisans and offer their handmade jewelry items to a worldwide market. Much of the work is made from organic nuts and seeds (tagua and acai), gathered from the Amazon Rainforest, cut, dyed and polished into very unique necklaces, bracelets and earrings. I love the fact that using naturally growing seeds and nuts from the Rainforest helps to prevent using it for mining or farming.

What made you decide to open an online shop?

My dream is to bring the unique handmade products of Ecuador to a wider audience than is available in the local markets, while providing women here with more opportunities. Ecuador has maintained a very special traditional handmade culture that will bring delight to those who find my shop.

What is your current favorite item in your shop?

This pale earthy green tagua necklace is my favorite item. Its handmade by an indigenous woman living in a small town in the Andes.

What is your favorite quote?

“Poverty is the absence of all human rights. The frustrations, hostility and anger generated by abject poverty cannot sustain peace in any society. For building stable peace we must find ways to provide opportunities for people to live decent lives.”

― Muhammad Yunus

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Manic Monday: Dorota Toczek of Jewellery Bijou

2013-03-18T08:03:00.000-05:00

Dorota Toczek of Jewellery Bijou Shop | Blog | Facebook

Tell us about yourself and your shop Collection of Handmade leg warmers, Bridesmaids Accessories, Pearl jewelry and many other romantic and chic accessories.

What made you decide to open an online shop? A few years ago I received a necklace as a gift, I like them so much and wanted to have them in a different colour as well, however I could not find them. I decided to make them myself so. Very quickly after discovering pliers, silver wire and gemstones, I became completely obsessed with making jewelry. At first it was just a hobby something to keep myself busy. I quickly became more and more creative and began selling my work It was not until years later when the idea of creating jewelry as a business emerged.

What is your current favorite item in your shop? My favourite item in my shop is Crochet leg warmers in beige with vintage looking buttons. I made few pairs in various colours for myself and I absolutely adore them.

What is your favorite quote? "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." Coco Chanel

Wilde's Wordless Wednesday

2013-03-13T13:58:00.001-05:00

Pet Shop Boys "Actually" embroidered album cover, originally uploaded by vegkat..

Manic Monday: Anna D'Amato of Eleganceforyou

2013-03-11T08:15:00.002-05:00

Anna D'Amato of Eleganceforyou

Shop | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

Tell us about yourself and your shop

I opened in March of 2009. I've always loved creating my own jewerly. Six years ago I took a class and the rest is history. In 2009 I heard a radio DJ talking about Etsy so I decided to check it out and loved being a membere ever since!

I offer affordable fashion beaded jewelry for the everyday woman. I believe every woman should be able to afford great jewelry!

I recently learned how to make accessories and scarfs, and started to make some tags as well.

Nature as well as everyday life inspires me.

What made you decide to open an online shop?

I wanted to share my creations with a larger market! Before then I was doing craft shows but I found the online shop more rewarding. Also I get to interact with a larger audience.

What is your current favorite item in your shop?

My current favorite are my Tree of Life pendants! I recently learned how to make them.

What is your favorite quote?

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts."

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Over-Selling

2013-03-07T10:39:00.002-06:00

I think it's important for me to start this post out by saying that I have been entirely guilty of over-selling myself. By this, I don't mean that I have promised more than I can deliver. Nope, I can do and make and put together everything I've ever said I can. Let it never be said that I am not honest, sometimes to the point of ticking people off - but that's another issue altogether. No, I'm talking about over-selling in a sense that most of us who run our own business are guilty of: doing nothing BUT sell.
With things like Twitter and Facebook and even our blogs, it's easy to forget that we're supposed to be communicating with people. We're supposed to be engaging the people following us. They're following because they like our business and want to hear about new products and sales and all of that, of course, but along the way, they want to talk to us. They want access. Isn't that what you want when you tune into someone's social media?
For a long time, I was guilty of doing nothing on Twitter but scheduling out ad posts. Tons of them. It was dull, and I feel really bad for those of you who struggled through that with me. I'm sure I bored the pants right off of you. Thankfully a lot of you persevered, and now if if you head to my Twitter feed, you'll find the occasional post about new items posted or sales or other advertising material, but you'll find more RTs and comments and interactions - and I feel better about it. I'm working to get more original content and how tos and such happening here on the blog. I try to post entertaining and fun stuff on Facebook along with questions for other people who do what I do. On Tumblr and Pinterest, I share work and miscellaneous stuff that entertains and inspires me in the hope that it will do the same to you.
If you ever have a suggestion for something that would make me more interesting to you or that would, even better, HELP you, tell me! If it's knowledge I have or a service I can offer, I want to do it. We're all in this together, and we should all have fun learning from each other. In closing, if you do nothing but tweet ad after ad, I promise I'll try to hang in there and get through it with you... but please consider that if you wouldn't want to read it yourself, we probably don't want to either.

Y U No Want Feature?

2013-03-04T08:27:00.001-06:00

I couldn't resist some tacky meme language. Forgive me? In any case, I still have slots for Manic Monday open from now through the end of the year... so the perfect time to sign up is RIGHT NOW. Just click here to go to the form and fill it out. I promise it is quick and painless, not to mention that the exposure you'll get is 100% FREE.

Wordless Wednesday

2013-02-27T10:19:00.001-06:00

Sushi and waffles :) #OOAKDiaries @ooak_toronto, originally uploaded by CandiWare.

Manic Tuesday: Freya from Zomby Zoo

2013-02-26T08:19:00.006-06:00

Freya of Zomby Zoo

Shop | Blog

Forgive the delay, but it's a Manic Tuesday this week since I was under the weather on Monday. That's what I get for not scheduling ahead! Hopefully the wonderfully crazy art today will win you over despite my lateness.

Tell us about yourself and your shop

Hi, I have been making things all my life and have always loved animals and since I was old enough, scary films and books. My fave monsters have always been zombies over vampires and werewolves, as they seem so inevitable and completely unstoppable! I have a lot of fun creating these creepy little creatures. In Zomby Zoo you will find a creepy but cute collection of zombie,ghost, robots and other monster animals, ready to win your heart and possibly your brains.

All animals are handmade from high quality Fimo and Sculpey polymer clays. I love how polymer clay can give you so many different effects, you can blend your own colours and create any pattern or shape. Then you cook it (it feels like science) and then your creature is alive! ahem, thats how I feel when I create a zombie anyway, sometimes its a little scary.

I opened Zombyzoo in January 2013, and zombies have invaded everything, especially my dreams.

I have always loved animals and since I was old enough, scary films and books. My fave monsters have always been zombies over vampires and werewolves, as they seem so inevitable and completely unstoppable! I have a lot of fun creating these creepy little creatures. I love how polymer clay can give you so many different effects, you can blend your own colours and create any pattern or shape. Then you cook it (it feels like science) and then your creature is alive! ahem, thats how I feel when I create a zombie anyway, sometimes its a little scary.

What made you decide to open an online shop?

I already had a jewelry shop on etsy, for leather earrings,necklaces and bracelets, and I recently got some polymer clay for a present, fell in love and used it to create creepy but cute animals.

What is your current favorite item in your shop?

I would have a hard time choosing but I love the expression on the ghost rhino's face and this new deer necklace.

What is your favorite quote?

I read this today- "Did you know, sharks will only attack you when you're wet." sean lock

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Wordless Wednesday

2013-02-20T09:50:00.001-06:00

green turtle ring, originally uploaded by Finding Charm.

Manic Monday: Weddings By Susan

2013-02-18T08:27:00.002-06:00

Susan Schrock of Weddings By Susan

Tell us about yourself and your shop

My dear friend Bethany opened up her Etsy shop in 2007 and I was so excited to support her handmade jewelry business. I've always loved making handmade cards so I decided to open up an Etsy store myself. What started off as a shop for handmade cards has now expanded into a site for custom signs, favor tags and favor bags. I primarily handle wedding projects but I am also pleased to create paper crafts for birthday parties, baby showers, bridal showers, bachelorette parties and christenings.

What made you decide to open an online shop?

As my son became a toddler, I found that I had personal time once again to be creative. When I first opened my Etsy shop in 2007, I started with sets of handmade cards and single greeting cards. But as my craft supply grew, so did my ambition! I began offering favor tags and favor bags, which quickly led to custom requests. Once I started printing custom tags there was no turning back!

What is your current favorite item in your shop?

I am so honored to help bring a little bit of handmade to a bride's special day. My favorite items are my customized wedding signs, especially my In Loving Memory signs that pay tribute to a bride and groom's loved ones who have passed away.

What is your favorite quote?

"Always remember there was nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our names." - Avett Brothers, "Murder in the City"

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Wordless Wednesday

2013-02-13T11:13:00.001-06:00

Love Is Love, originally uploaded by pixeljunkiedesings.

Manic Whoops!

2013-02-12T16:18:00.002-06:00

Uh, my organization was... not. I missed Manic Monday! The upside? It will be back next week, and that means you have another whole week to apply for a feature of your own. Next Monday's slot is filled, but there's still plenty of weeks left in the year. Thanks to everyone sticking with me.

While you're here, have you gotten your Valentine's Day gift to yourself? Use code WILDEVALENTINE at checkout to get 15% off your order at Wilde Designs now until February 15!

Wordless Wednesday

2013-02-06T09:55:00.001-06:00

Moist color on the palette, originally uploaded by Jabinya.

Random Acts - a video message from Misha Collins (HQ)

2013-02-05T08:39:00.001-06:00

Well, how sweet is this? A very nice thought to go into the day with.

Wordless Wednesday

2013-01-30T08:30:00.001-06:00

Sherlock Forgets His Pants, originally uploaded by feltyfathers.

Manic Monday: Cari Rakai of Early Morning Projects

2013-01-28T08:52:00.003-06:00

Cari Rakai of Early Morning Projects Shop | Blog

The first Manic Monday feature of 2013 is a fun one with an artist who products bright, beautiful work that is absolutely delightful. Check out what inspires Cari!

Tell us about yourself and your shop Oh man, What to say about Early Morning Projects? I've been open for almost a year now, and it has become a conduit for my creativity. I've always been an artist, even as a child, but I've also always been scattered and diverse in my creation, and Early Morning Projects has allowed me to offer all of my wild work to the world. I paint, sculpt, sew, draw, relief print, I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things in there. Colour is important for me in my work, and I realy love to upcycle things if I can. My home is full of supplies, or found objects that could potentially someday BECOME a supply, lol.

What made you decide to open an online shop? I can't stop making things! Creating things with my hands is the best part of my day, the part I look forward to. But, alas, I just can't keep everything that I make, and my family is tired of getting art for Christmas! (Although, they haven't gotten tired of the rag-rugs yet!) Basically, though, I've always wanted to sell my work but I've never been great at networking. Etsy was a great way for me to offer the work I made and to connect with other artists and see what others are making!

What is your current favorite item in your shop? My current favorites are my decorative animal art objects (knick knacks, to be more precise ;P) and my magic wands!
What is your favorite quote? "Wish in one hand, poop in the other. See which one fills up faster." This is a Stephen King quote, which I love. (he doesn't say "poop" btw) I take it to mean, you can day dream, pipe dream, complain and fuss and whine all you want, but wishing and hoping won't get you very far, only your own efforts will.
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Wilde Romance

2013-01-24T14:21:00.000-06:00

Valentine's Day may suck for you, but it can at least mean some good stuff on the cheap. Now through February 15, you can get 15% off EVERYTHING at Wilde Designs using coupon code WildeValentine at checkout. That's right - EVERYTHING. Prints, jewelry, vintage stuff... all of it. Share this post and share the love with everybody you really care about - and maybe a few people you don't.

Romance is overrated - consumerism is totally where it's at. Visit Wilde Designs right now!

Wordless Wednesday

2013-01-23T09:32:00.001-06:00

Golden Time Necklace, originally uploaded by wildemoon.

Keeping It Real

2013-01-21T16:08:00.001-06:00

So far I'm keeping up with my resolution to do more hand work and sketch more often. Valentine cards (yeah, I suppose for next year at this point) are in progress!