Artist Spotlight:: aLittleHomie

Kirsten O'Hara, use to consider herself a non-crafter. "As a young adult," she says, "I lacked the patience to carry anything through to a quality finish. I was bursting with ideas, but I was so focused on getting to the end that I rushed through the process. I always ended up with a rotten product."

Still, she had an unexplainable urge to create.

Nearly eleven years ago, on their first anniversary, she and her husband were downtown shopping plaza. He offered to buy her any ONE thing. Intimidated by the vastness of choice, she asked him, instead, to take her to Wal-Mart. She wanted a new hobby, and came home with a pair of knitting needles.

"...Hey, I'm a simple girl. It was probably his greatest gift to me. I haven't put the needles down since. Through knitting, I have learned both patience and a love of the art. I love the colors of the yarn. I love the texture as it slips over my fingers. I love the rhythm in the clicking motions. "

"I have learned to love the process. Knitting gives me the chance to sit, ponder, reflect and refresh. It relaxes me. It fulfills me, and I am now happy to create ... and create and create and create."


Kristen's shop, aLittleHomie, specializes in ready-made hand knit creations and knitting kits. She is currently running a special on her washcloth knitting kits, free shipping to the US and Canada, plus 10% off the kit price! See her shop listings for details on how to get the discount. If you're not a knitter, you can purchase Kristen's ready-made sets of 6 hand knit washcloths. They come in a beautiful array of colors and make an excellent Mother's day or baby shower gift.

You can learn more about Kristen and her creative process on her blog.

In The News:: SouthHouseBoutique

The past 6 months have been an exciting time for Diane of SouthHouseBoutique, as she and her burlap and chalkboard fabric creations have been featured in magazine after magazine.

Last summer she was contacted by the fine folks at Better Homes & Gardens to participate in their 2010 Holiday Crafts issue along with many other talented well known Etsy Sellers. "I think it is quite a testament to the Etsy community of designers, artists and craftsmen, that 21 out of 37 designers featured in Holiday Crafts 2010 have Etsy shops. For such a recognized design authority as BH&G to so extensively use Etsy as a resource speaks volumes," Diane said.


BH&G featured her Christmas stockings, a sophisticated classic that has become one of South House Boutiques signature holiday offerings. But stockings aren't all South House Boutique offers. With a focus of burlap, ticking and chalk cloth, Diane masterfully combines unique fabrics to create enlivening home decor accessories and gifts: Table runners, organizing bins, labels, wine bottle bags, and more.

This unique set of offerings, coupled with excellent photography and well written descriptions (as well as impeccably created items) has lead Diane's shop to be discovered by big names like BH&G, Food & Wine, The Knot and Amy Atlas, with more features in the works! When asked how they found her, she replied, "They found me through my Etsy shop. They contacted me through a very common convo."

Congratulations Diane!

Something Old, Something New

Something Borrowed, Something Reuse

Love this recent KCEtsy team treasury curated by ThreadsEdge featuring more of our vintage, antique dealers and artists who up-cycle and re-purpose everyday items into beautiful creations.

Here are nine of the sixteen featured artists, click here to view the entire collection and leave a comment.

Vintage Blue

Our team isn't just about the created, the hand crafted, the handmade. We have a growing number of members who have a love, a passion, and a well trained eye for all things vintage. If you have a soft spot for vintage jewelry, clothing, accessories, or home goods you'll want to check these shops and others often, so beautiful treasures don't slip through your fingers.

Multi-strand necklace with vintage links and pearls by NuggetsOfGoodness
Bangles Set of 2 by simplywornvintage
Upcycled Blue Willow Cupcake Server by studio1404
Make Meat Jello Today by TangoPony
Vintage Train Case by vintageinkling

Kansas City is ready for Spring!

Isn't that the truth!

Collection curated by KCEtsy Team Member kisforkitty. For more information about items pictured, click here.

In The News:: auntjune

Did you see this spread in the Kansas City Star's house and home section last week 'Breaking the Pattern'? It's a lovely piece on modern quilting and the women behind the sewing machine, fabric and this art medium.

Kansas City Etsy Street Team Member Lauren Hunt, affectionately known around here and Etsy as auntjune, is one of the featured modern quilters.

We love her bright and whimsical fabrics - she designs them herself ya know - and her chic and functional totes are fun and fabulous! And well, there is also her modern approach to quilting. The quilts are stunning. Just take a look.

You can keep up with Lauren and see what's currently on the cutting table by following her blog - myauntjune.blogspot.com. Her Etsy Shop is currently stocked with a great selection of her original fabric designs and tote bags.

The past few months has seen an influx of Kansas City Etsy Team members in print both locally and nationally. We're pretty stoked for them. It's exciting stuff when your small business gets such beautiful exposure. So periodically we'll post little shout-outs with pictures and links so you can check out all the chatter going on about our talented members. You'll be good enough to give them a high five and a thumbs-up, won't you?

Kansas City, Kansas City here I come

Treasury curated by drumchick99.

Valentine Cards, drumchick style

Do you have Valentine's ready to distribute on Monday? In our house, there's an entire tub dedicated to valentine card making supplies. Kids have been quietly at work all week long making and writing heart felt sentiments to friends, classmates, teachers, and family.

If you're needing cute, quick supplies that don't look like they came from a midnight run to the local box store, check out the offerings of drumchick99. Her paper crafting supplies are just what you need to make charming, one-of-a-kind Valentine's that will better convey your admiration and appreciation for those you love.

Love Monkey, Be Mine, hand carved rubber stamp.
Foam Animals, Self-Adhesive.
50 Valentine's Day Buttons.
2 small Conversation Heart rubber stamps.