Friday, March 26, 2010

Friday Spotlight: Dark Side of the Sun

Hello, and welcome to the first of our bi-weekly Friday Spotlights! Every other week, we will feature a new interview from one of our TeamBPAL members. We are starting this off with none other than the instigator behind this whole TeamBPAL thing. (We'll meet her co-conspirator next time!)

Let's learn a little more about Mel of Dark Side of the Sun.



Tell us a little about the items in your shop. What do you make?
I make jewelry...mostly chainmaille. I'm inspired by music, video games, chaos, life. I can be inspired staring out the window, watching tv, or going for a bike ride. Some of my favourite pieces have been mistakes.

What is your creative process?
I have random bursts of inspiration and then construct pieces in my head, unsure of whether they'll work or not when I sit down to make them. Sometimes I go and sit in my work room (I call it The Cave) and stare at wire until something comes to me. When it comes to my work, I have one rule: I don't make anything that I wouldn't wear myself.

Which Etsy Teams do you belong to?
TeamBPAL, Chainmaillers' Guild, and Etsy Texas Crafters.



Malcolm



When you are not creating things, what do you do?
I go to school, which eats a huge chunk of my time. I also have a 5 year old who insists that she's a rock star. My first love is music though, so I go to a lot of concerts, though not as many as I used to. Oh, and I do this whole TeamBPAL thing, too. ;)

Tell us two random, interesting things about you.
I have 7 pet rats. 2 are babies, 4 are hairless, and one is a "fancy" rat. They've all got distinct personalities, and I look forward to finding out what the babies will be like.

Just about everything I learn, I've taught myself. I love learning new things, but taking classes isn't for me. I like the challenge of figuring things out for myself. Sometimes the method taught in a class isn't necessarily the easiest way to do something. By teaching myself, I can figure out the best way for me to do something and not have to worry about the instructor telling me that I'm doing it wrong.

What has been your proudest moment since opening your Etsy shop?
As silly as it sounds, getting this team started. It really did start as Coldie and I talking about how we needed a team for all of the talented BPAL people. The way that everyone pulled together to make it happen was just amazing.



Love/Hate Heartbreak



What advice would you give to artists who are new to Etsy?
Probably to get involved in the etsy forums. There's a lot of good information, and great people there. It also helps to get your shop out there.

If you could have any item on Etsy regardless of price, what would it be?
Your Song Ring. I don't know what song I would want on it, but I love the idea.

What other skill or talent do you wish you could possess, if you had not taken this creative path?
It's really not safe for me to want another skill. If I decide that I'd like to do something, I'll learn how to do it. I have far too many "useless" hobbies as it is. I think adding another may drive everyone nuts!



Where else can we find you on the web?
Dark Side of the Sun on Facebook and Blog

Thanks for the interview, Mel! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Features and Treasuries

There are a lot of good things going on with the team right now! Here's a list of features, galleries, and treasuries currently featuring TeamBPAL members.

Features:
Dark Side of the Sun is being featured this week over at She Shoes, She Scores. Head over there to check it out and enter to win a pair of earrings.


Galleries:
Elements & Artifacts is featured in SF Etsy's St. Patty's Day Gallery.

Treasuries:
Sihaya Designs is featured in a Purple India treasury.
Darkling Woods Studio is featured in this Inspired by Fairytales treasury.
Mother Moon Gems is an alternate in this Pay It Forward treasury.

Great job, everyone!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

We're Official!

I got the email today, telling me that TeamBPAL is now an official etsy team! You can see our page here: http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=786

Things can get moving now! SO excited!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

New and Shiny!

New: Did you know that we're also on Facebook now? The Facebook, just like the blog and Twitter, are for both buyers and sellers, so suggest the group to anyone that you think would be interested.

Shiny: Did you notice the new layout here? The amazingly wonderful Alicia made us a banner! What do you think? I love it! (Say nice things so that she'll make us some icons, too. :p I hear that she can be bribed with grilled cheese and Krispy Kreme...just sayin'!)

Shop List

To make it easier to find us, this is a list of all of our member's shops. I'll update it to add new shops. If you're not listed and should be, send me an email and I'll add you! If you've just joined, give me a few days and check back. If you'd like to be listed, click the "application" tag on the right and follow the directions there. Once you're accepted, I'll post your info here within a few days, and submit your name to etsy to be added to the list there.

If you're a buyer looking for a list of TeamBPAL shops, the only thing you have to do is keep reading. Check back often since I'll be updating the list as people join! Thanks for visiting!

Shop Name, Product & Where You Can Find Us


Art by Sarada Original fantasy, gothic and Halloween art and some prints
Blog: http://artbysarada.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/artbysarada
Twitter: http://twitter.com/artbysarada
Other: http://www.artbysarada.com
Forum Name: sarada

Blackbird Marmalade Creations


Corvid Castle
Jewelry and dyed wool rovings
Blog: http://wytchchyld.livejournal.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/Wytchchyld?ref=profile
Forum Name: gwynhwyfar


CraftyWillows - Handcrafted wire wrapped jewelry and more!
Blog: http://littlebitcrafting.blogspot.com/
Forum Name: Catseyes

Dark Side of the Sun Jewelry (chainmaille, wire, resin, metal, leather)
Blog: http://meldusa.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dark-Side-Of-The-Sun/183874451459?ref=mf
Twitter: http://twitter.com/melthedusa
Forum Name: Melle Mel

Darlkingwoods Art
Blog: http://darklingwoods.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darklingwoods
Twitter: http://twitter.com/darklingwoods
Other: http://darklingwoods.com

Donkeytiara Photography of all things fascinating
Forum Name: Pseedie

E. Carnell, potter
Handmade ceramics
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/ecarnell?ref=profile
Twitter: http://twitter.com/juniperus


Elements & Artifacts
Themed jewelry and artwork based on various myths, legends, histories, cultures, and customs.
Blog: http://aliciadabney.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elements-Artifacts/180379723343?ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alicia_stardust
Other: http://aliciadabney.com/
Forum Name: alicia_stardust

Gala's Gourmet Jam, Butter, Jelly, Pickles
Blog: http://www.galateasglamouries.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/galateadia
Twitter: http://twitter.com/galateadia
ForumL Galatea

Gracie's Treasures
One of a kind and custom clothing with an emphasis on corsetry and bridalwear. Some acessories, too!
Twitter: http://twitter.com/SuperKitty
Forum: GypsyRoseRed

Inconstant Moon Knit goods, jewelry, misc. stuff
Blog: http://roseaeron.livejournal.com/
Other: www.myspace.com/roseaeron
Forum Name: roseaeron

Kogi's Custom Clay Ceramics: specializing in custom designed items
Other: http://www.meganratchford.com/
Forum name: eutectic


Laura Salisbury Design Handcrafted jewelry using gemstones, silver, antiqued brass, and other pretty, shiny things
Blog: http://laurasalisburydesigns.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Portland-OR/Laura-Salisbury-Designs/196877381310?ref=ts
Twitter: http://twitter.com/laurasalisbury
Forum: bonzaiaphrodite

Lavoro Handcrafted jewelry. Mostly earrings but I dabble in a few other things!
Blog: http://www.girlbehindtheglass.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MineralGirl
Twitter: http://twitter.com/bpalgirl

Other: http://www.shopwithshelly.com

Forum: MineralGirl


Melodic Designs Polymer clay creations and BPAL storage.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/sheena.gullett?ref=profile
Forum Name: wintersmelody


Milling In Line Custom Perfume storage boxes (made to display and keep your BPAL)
Blog: http://lunakitten.livejournal.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/Lunakitten
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lunakitten
Forum Name: Lunakitten


Mother Moon Gems Hand crafted jewelry
Blog: http://mothermoongems.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mothermoongems?ref=ts
Twitter: MMG_Coldie
Other: http://www.mothermoongems.com
Forum Name: Coldfire

Nevermore Bits and Baubles
Primarily jewelry and random vintage items
Forum: djnevermore

Nightshadeshop Jewelry
Blog: nightshadeshop.blogspot.com
Forum Name: Troubledoll

Ocean Street Spa Soap, sugar scrubs, room sprays, candle tarts, glossing oils.
Other: www.oceanstreetspa.com
Forum Name: oceandreamer001

Ottersdaughter Jewelry only right now, but possibly photo prints in the future as well
Blog: http://dragon-mintz.livejournal.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=550464913

Forum: Dragon_mintz

Paintbox Soapworks ~ Luxury Soaps, Lotions & Scrubs
Twitter: http://twitter.com/paintboxsoaps
FB: http://www.facebook.com/paintboxsoapworks
Forum Name: tartchef

Palimpsestic - Original collage art, bookmarks, and cards with a literary bent
Blog: http://jennifertatroe.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/jhtatroe
Other: http://www.jennifertatroe.com
Forum Name: elphaba

Panopoly Creations Ceramics, jewelry, housewares, etc.
Blog: http://panopoly.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/panavatar (I'm working on a fan page too...not done yet!)
Twitter? http://twitter.com/panavatar


Parrish Relics Handcrafted jewelry with Stained Glass & magical imagery.
Blog: http://parrishrelics.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Parrish-Relics-Jewelry/61500032941
Twitter: http://twitter.com/parrishrelics
Other: http://www.parrishrelics.com (custom design)
Forum Name: parrishrelics

Phantomwise Art prints & original mixed media art, including prints of the major arcana of my tarot deck, the Phantomwise Tarot
Blog:(art-focused)http://wakingeyes.livejournal.com, (general/writing)http://erinmorgenstern.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/erinism
Forum: alizarin

Seawall Glen Pysanky, black velvet paintings, hollow books
Blog: corardens.wordpress.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/seawall.glen
Twitter: http://twitter.com/seawall

Forum: none

Seven Cats Co - Jewelry, soon to be added: clothing, costuming,
keepsake boxes in wood and stained glass, ceramics
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sevencatsco
Forum name: kitrona

Sihaya Designs
Inspired gemstone, wire, and resin jewelry
Blog:http://sihayadesigns.blogspot.com
Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/sihayadesigns
Other: www.sihayadesigns.com
Forum Name: Sihaya09

Simply Eve Designs Handmade Jewelry
Forum: mycatfrankie
Blog: http://mylifeasitis-eve.blogspot.com/

Stonetotem Handmade intentional jewelry and pendulums for personal and spiritual growth.
Forum: stonetotem

Stormslegacy Designs Large variety of animal related things, though scent lockets and steampunk jewelry do appear in my shop from time to time. "Most of the proceeds go to my small horde of rescued rodents."
Blog: www.stormslegacy.livejournal.com
Twitter: Stormslegacy
Other: www.stormslegacy.com


Sunshades and Escapades Kaylee parasols (hoping to get more Firefly / geeky goods in my store soon)
Do you have a blog? http://browncoatmom.blogspot.com/
Facebook page? http://www.facebook.com/eoywin
Twitter? http://twitter.com/Eoywin
Forum Name: Eoywin

TaraNova Jewelry, paintings, and sculpture
Blog: www.TaraSas.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tara-Nova-Fine-Art-and-Design/329671527652
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TaraSas
Other: http://jupiterpsyche.livejournal.com/
Forum Name: jupiternf

The Vampyr Within ~ Handmade Coffins and pyramid decor, apothecary cabinets, jewelry and more.
Forum Name: Eros

Varioius and Sundry Jewelry- some steampunk inspired, some traditional, decoupaged boxes
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Various-and-Sundry/326558156679?ref=mf
Forum Name: Syrenemyst

Wild Hybrid Soap, Chain Maille Jewelery, Other jewelery, lip balm and expanding into scrubs soon.
Blog: http://galahad40.livejournal.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1192896412
Twitter: http://twitter.com/galahad40
Other: www.wild-hybrid.co.nz
Forum: galahad

Monday, March 1, 2010

We're now on Twitter!

You can find us at http://twitter.com/teamBPAL

Follow us and see what we're up to!

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