...supporting artists and crafters worldwide
Next Sneak Attack: Thursday, September 9, 2010:
Date: Thursday Sep 9th; 2:00pm EDT
Shop Name: to be announced at above time
Sponsor: StockAnnette
Click here to see the discussion about last Thursday's Sneak Attack
What's all this? Read below to find out!
Sneak Attack Schedule:
Date |
Time (EDT) |
Sponsor |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Th | Sep 9 |
2:00pm |
|
| M | Sep 13 |
7:00pm |
|
| Th | Sep 16 |
4:00pm |
|
| M | Sep 20 |
12:00am |
|
| Th | Sep 23 |
6:00pm |
What is a Sneak Attack?
It's a way to support independant artisans who are trying to sell their wares online. Two days a week at an appointed time, an Etsy shop with few or no sales is announced on this site. As many people as possible then buy items from that shop, resulting in a frenzy of surprise business to the unsuspecting shop! To the upper right is the current Sneak Attack schedule. To participate, show up on this site at or soon after the time of the next attack and you'll see the chosen shop name in the box above. Then go to that shop and purchase an item, making sure to include the words "Sneak Attack" in the "message to seller". It's also fun to tune into the current thread on Etsy to talk about it with other "attackers".
The Handmade Movement Blog
July 30th: Ginger Oliphant Owner of Going Places 2 Donates to the Giveaway
I would like to introduce you to Ginger Oliphant. Ginger is the proud owner of Going Places 2 on Etsy where she creates and sells art prints from her Inspirational Dog Print Series, as well as felted wool items made from recycled sweaters, plus a few other surprises.
Ginger tells us a little about herself in her Etsy profile, ‘I have always loved creating, crafting, designing and learning new things. I love paper & bright colors! I am a collector of inspirational quotes and like to use them in my artwork. I remember the days when I would search for “good” construction paper. Not any of that nasty, coarse stuff, but the smooth, bright and vivid kind. Perfect for all of that paper cutting I did.’ Well, Ginger has created some bright, cheery and colorful prints and filled her Etsy shop with them for our enjoyment! Take a look at this Collie print, one of my favorites.
Ginger’s love for dogs shines through in her creations just as her love for all things artistic is evident in her career choice. Employed as a graphic designer and a web designer she continuously nurtures her artistic side and it shows! I found this cute Apple Blossom Brooch as I browsed through Going Places 2.
I encourage you to take a few moments and stop by Ginger’s Etsy shop and pick out your favorite prints and see what all she has to offer. I am certain you will find several items that appeal to you. You will want to sign up for the Handmade Giveaway before you leave. With a little luck you could be our next winner and be able to enjoy Ginger’s Inspirational Dog Series in your own home! If you are the lucky winner you will receive an email on August 13th. Be one of the first to know by being in the Sneak Attack Forum thread that night.
Until then, don’t forget that you can join a fantastic group of fun loving Sneakers and help surprise an unsuspecting new Etsy shop owner any Monday and Thursday evening. No official invitation needed and no team to join. Stop into the Etsy forum thread and say ‘hi’ or just lurk about and see how crazy it can get!
July 29th: Meet Engel
All of our Sneaker friends love to sponsor a sneak attack – it’s so much fun. It also gives us a warm feeling knowing that we are helping other Etsy shops get a good start!
Our sponsor today is Linda, better known as Engel from Engelfelt. Linda has been a sponsor lots of times!
Until this summer, Linda was a full-time high school language teacher, and had been for 3 decades. She also ran an exchange program at her high school and took students to Europe every other summer.
Now retired, Linda is helping to interview for her replacement! According to Linda prior to retiring: Raising a family and working full-time is definitely not easy, but you just do it, and have very little time for yourself
Now Linda will have all the time she needs or wants to work on her crafts! Like this adorable child’s hat that she has crocheted!
Well, Linda, I have to tell you, when I retired, I thought the same thing – plenty of time to get everything done – yeah! NOT.
How can you work full time, and get all the things done you need to, yet when you retire – there’s never enough time? If someone can figure that out for us – please let us know!
Be sure to check out Linda’s shop for more delightful crafts! Then come chat with us in the Sneak Attack Thread! We are a fun bunch!
July 26th: Meet Handmade
Sandi from Handmade By Sandi has been a sponsor before and today she is sponsoring the Sneak Attack which starts at 7pm Etsy time.
Here’s something you might not know about Sandi: Not only does she have 2 Etsy shops, but she also has an online business that she started several years ago – called Sandi’s T’s. Sandi has been a ‘crafty’ person all her life and learned a technique called ‘Snip-Snip’ from a craft shop owner in California.
Sandi was on a business trip to California and just wandering around the area looking for craft shops – to see if she could find some little gift type items to bring back from her trip. She visited a shop on Coronado that had all kinds of cute and unique items and found a tee shirt that the owner had made using this technique – it was a heart with fabric made to look like a USA flag. Sandi bought the shirt to wear on the trip back home, and also purchased a couple of patterns to try. Needless to say, that was the beginning of Sandi’s new business!
This is the first shirt Sandi made:
Be sure to check out Sandi’s tee shirts. Then come chat with us in the Sneak Attack Thread! We are a fun bunch!
July 22nd: Meet Shell
Judy, better known as Shell, is sponsoring our Sneak Attack today at 4pm Etsy time.
The name of her shop is Just For The Shell Of It and when you visit her shop, you will see shells everywhere.
When asked why that name, Judy said Have always loved the ocean, the beach, and shells! Been collecting shells for 40 years. Decided to try making some craft items with them and incorporate some into wedding accessories.
Looking at her treasure boxes in her shop, you will notice she has used shells all over the boxes – on the top, sides or as feet! They make wonderful gifts!
Be sure to visit Judy’s shop and then come on over and chat with us today in our Sneak Attack thread!
July 19th: Meet Yarn
Teresa, better known as Yarn, is sponsoring our Sneak Attack today at 7pm Etsy time.
Why the name Yarn? Well one of her Etsy shops is Yarn 2 Spin Having learned how to spin yarn at an early age, Teresa loves to help others become addicted to it as much as she is!
Not only does Teresa have wool in her shop that you can use for spinning into yarn, but she also has spinning wheels available! 
Teresa has created videos designed to teach you how to spin. And… Advice, opinions and fiber samples are always free. So ask away.
Be sure to visit Teresa’s shop to start your own addiction in spinning, and then come on over and chat with us today in our Sneak Attack thread!
July 15th: Chris Knaggs Owner of The Wooded Lake Donates to the Giveaway
Chris Knaggs is the owner of The Wooded Lake on Etsy. She fell victim to a Sneak Attack the beginning of June and has joined in on the fun with the ‘Sneakers’, sponsoring a Sneak Attack and now donating to the Handmade Giveaway. Her shop is filled with creations that she describes as quirky, whimsical and slightly off-center. It’s okay though because she designed them that way. Chris tells us a little about how her designs are created; ‘All of my items are made with love and care from fabric that I have collected from quilt shops, antique stores and every place in between’.
I went snooping in Chris’ shop and found that her talents extend far beyond the making of the wonderfully woodsy Owl Trio that Chris donated to the Handmade Giveaway. Check out this Friendly Ghost just in time for Halloween.
Chris is not new to the artistic world of designing and creating handmade items. She notes in her Etsy Bio, ‘I have been selling my handmade creations for a long time. I have been drawing all of my life and sewing and quilting for 17 years. I love to create and see my ideas and sketches come to life! ‘
Whatever the season you will find something unique to warm your home or give as a gift when you visit The Wooded Lake. I found these cute little Christmas Mice that are the perfect size to decorate a wreath or toss in a bowl and just look cute!
Now that you know a bit more about Chris and can see some of the amazing things she has made, I know you are anxious to visit her shop. But wait! Before you go, don’t forget that you have the opportunity to WIN the Trio of Primitive Rustic Owl Sitters just by registering to win the Handmade Giveaway. They will arrive in your home absolutely FREE. You won’t even have to pay shipping. So get signed up and watch your email on July 29th or better yet, join us in the Etsy forum thread before the Sneak Attack when the winner is announced. You could be the next winner of the Handmade Giveaway!
