Shop Spotlight:EstieMade

Another Monday, another Shop Spotlight post! This week, we're featuring Etsy Dallas Team Member EstieMade. Esther Kao, owner and designer, creates unique, modern, and versatile jewelry pieces that will last you a lifetime.

EstieMade Aquamarine Half Moon Ring

What year did you start your shop? 2011

What is your shop's motto? Simple + wearable jewelry that is elegant enough for everyday wear.

EstieMade Dainty Tourmaline Rope Ring

What is your favorite item that you sell? Rings!

Fun fact about you: I rarely buy clothes - I spend my money on jewelry supplies instead!

EstieMade Geometric Stacking Bracelets

How did you get started? My first jewelry pieces were necklaces for my bridesmaids in 2009, and from there I got hooked on making jewelry. 

EstieMade Hand-Textured 14k Gold Stacking Rings

Anything else we should know about you? I have a background in graphic design and advertising, which has come in handy for developing my Etsy shop and branding.

EstieMade Triangle Malachite Necklace

Thank you so much, Esther! Your pieces are truly beautiful, and we're proud to have you on the team!

If you would like to know more about EstieMade, you can check out her other social media sites. And I definitely would, if I were you - she's usually posting some killer sneak peeks of upcoming designs and behind-the-scenes shots of her process!

Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Web

2nd Annual Crafts for Crayons School Supply Drive and Craft Event

Want to make a difference in a young girl's life? Join Etsy Dallas at the 2nd Annual Crafts for Crayons event on Saturday, August 1st, at the NorthPark Center. 

For a donation of school or art supplies, you can have a fun afternoon crafting away with your friends or kids. And bonus - you get to take your crafts with you when you leave!

You can find us in the NorthCourt between Nordstrom and Macy's from 1-5 pm - it's sure to be a blast!

All donations will benefit Girls, Inc. of Metropolitan Dallas, a philanthropy whose goal is to empower girls to be come strong, smart, and bold women who positively contribute to our communities and who understand, value, and assert their rights. Girls, Inc. teaches leadership and gives girls the tools to change their situation. 

Their programming includes such activities as: 

• STEM-centric summer camps (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics); 
• After-school programs with focuses including tutoring, self defense, leadership, and health; and
• Year-round programs, including one-on-one mentoring and college tour trips.

Last year, we raised over $2,000 in addition to bags and bags of school and art supplies for the organization, and we hope to exceed that this year! Your donations help ease the burden on teachers to provide their own supplies (much of which comes out of their own pockets) and give girls the tools they need to succeed in the classroom. You will be directly affecting change in your own community!

So please come and join us for what is guaranteed to be a great afternoon of camaraderie, crafting, and community improvement - we can't wait!

For more information about Girls, Inc., you can visit girlsincdallas.org, or on any of these social media sites: Twitter // Pinterest // Tumblr // Instagram

Shop Spotlight: Expressions Bracelets

Hullo, and welcome back to our weekly Shop Spotlight series! We are so proud of all of our team members and are thrilled to continue showcasing their amazingness.

This week, we are highlighting Expressions Bracelets. Owner SaRatta Reeves is a Jack (well, Jane)-of-all-trades with a tangible love for life and helping others. She sells unique, personalized jewelry with the intention of helping the wearer express his or her true self.

What year did you open? 2012

What is your shop's motto? Freedom to Express Your Style

What is your favorite item that you sell? Personalized engraved cuffs.

Fun fact about you: I am a spoken word artist (poet).

How did you get started? After experiencing two corporate layoffs within two years, I began looking for a different career. I created bracelets for my niece's Autism Walk, and since they were a big hit, I turned it into a business. A portion of our sales go to Autism Awareness.

Anything else we should know? I spent ten years as a public speaker.


Thanks, SaRatta! We love your pieces and your mission -  thanks for being a team member!


You can follow Expressions Bracelets on the following social media sites:
Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Blog

Shop Spotlight: Whipped Up Wonderful

Hullo, and welcome back to the official Etsy Dallas blog!

It's Monday, and you know what that means! Today, we're continuing with our weekly Shop Spotlight series with Whipped Up Wonderful. Alexis Strickland, owner and maker, makes unique and fun handmade soaps, bath bombs, and other skin care goodies.

Alexis Strickland, owner

What year did you open? 2010
What is your shop's motto? Creating spa-quality bath treats with a conscience.

Aphrodisiac Bath Bomb, with notes of grapefruit, lemon, mandarin, and green tomato leaf.  

What is your favorite item that you sell? Bath bombs of all colors and fragrances.

A custom gift box.

Fun fact about you: I'm a part-time art teacher and sweet tea enthusiast.
How did you get started? The short story? Boredom. Never leave me alone with a book on making your own soaps and bath products. Companies get founded, and things get messy!

Lavender Dreams Bath Bomb topped with organic lavender buds.

Anything else we should know? Each item is made with a genuine focus on ingredient sustainability and biodegradability. I use locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible and make a point of supporting other local businesses and charities.


Thanks, Alexis! I can only begin to imagine how amazing your studio smells with all of these goodies lurking about.

You can follow Whipped Up Wonderful on Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter.

Have a great week, everybody!

Save the Date for Jingle Bash 2015!

It's official! Save the date, everybody, for this year's annual Jingle Bash! Kick off your holiday shopping with us at Gilley's Dallas on November 21st from 11 am to 6 pm - it's going to be a blast!

(We know it's a little bit early to be thinking of the holiday season, but we're just SO EXCITED!)

If you're a maker, we're looking for YOU! Applications to show at the Bash will be available around mid-August, so keep an eye out for another blog post announcing the launch. Non-members are encouraged to apply for the show - we're always on the lookout for really great talent!

All the Best,

The Etsy Dallas Team

Shop Spotlight: Precious Little Tot

Happy Monday, everyone! Today, we're continuing our Shop Spotlight series with Precious Little Tot. Owners Jaclyn Kostrzewa and Julie Boldt design and make modern baby accessories for moms, including diaper bags, diaper clutches, and teething blankets.


What year did you open? 2012
What is your shop's motto? Products designed by two moms for the modern mom and baby.

The Black Arrow Diaper Bag

What is your favorite item that you sell? Our diaper bags and clutches.

Fun fact about you: We have a fabric obsession!

Precious Little Tot wares in action.

How did you get started? We started in 2012 for fun as a hobby, and it slowly built from there. My main motivators to make products were my two kids.

Gray Arrow Diaper Bag

Chic wares for the modern mother.

Anything else we should know? My business partner is Julie Boldt, who is located in Chicago. She handles all of our marketing.


Thanks so much, ladies! For more information about Precious Little Tot and some behind-the-scenes shots, you can follow them on the following social media sites: Instagram // Facebook // Twitter // Web

More Learning Opportunities!

Etsy Dallas and Dallas Makerspace have teamed up to offer more learning opportunities for those that want to build a stellar Etsy shop. Our next workshops will cover everything from Etsy shop basics to product photography to advanced seller networking. 

 Etsy Dallas Advanced Sellers: Christmas in July Workshop

Saturday, July 11th

12-2pm

$25
Tickets Info

Etsy Success: Getting Started 

Saturday, July 18th

1-3pm

$25
Ticket Info

Photography that Sells

Saturday, August 8th

1-3pm

$25
Ticket Info

Tickets are required for each of these classes. Be sure to click on the links above to purchase yours.