Feature Friday: Angela Latham - Spool of Plenty

Today we feature the sewing skills of Angela Latham of Spool of Plenty. Angela has lots of knowledge and tips about etsy forums and chatrooms and is a great help to our Bluegrass etsy team. She has traveled a great distance to attend our team meetings. We are happy to have her!


How did you first hear about etsy?

My sister in law in Florida told me about etsy.

Tell us about a little about yourself and your favorite craft/art!

I don't know that I could pick a favorite! I really Enjoy sewing and embroidering right now but I dabble in other things too on the side.


How did you get started as a designer?

My Grandmother was always sewing and quilting so I guess I picked it up from her. I took some classes in High School and went on to graduate from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelors Degree in Graphic Design. Now that I am a stay at home mom, I use my free time to make things to put in my shop and give out as gifts.


What inspires you to create?

Colors and Fabrics. I constantly have ideas for all kinds of things bouncing around in my head! Sometimes it can get overwhelming!

How long have you been a member of Bluegrass etsy and how did you hear about the team?

I think I signed up for the team in September of 2008. I was on the etsy team page when I saw there was a group in KY. I have been to two team meetings now and it really helps me stay motivated.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?

Do what makes you happy. Make your own unique style and stand out!


Anything else you would like to add?

Shop Local when you can to support small stores and the Handmade world!



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Thanks Angela for letting us learn a little more about you!

To see more of Angela's creations, please visit her Spool of Plenty etsy shop here!

October Team Giveaway: Part 2

Our lucky winner of the first October giveaway from Whimsy Beading is Linda K of California. Congratulations Linda. Kelly and Joey will be in touch with you when your prize ships!

We are so excited to announce Part 2 of our special giveaways for the month of October! This too-cute giveaway is generously donated by Angela Latham of Spool of Plenty.


Personalized Burp cloth and Bib set - valued at $12

You choose the bib color and the fabric to customize this prize! SpoolofPlenty will contact you with the details when you win!


How to Enter?
To enter, please visit Angela's Spool of Plenty shop. Come back here to leave a comment and tell us what you like about Angela's shop. If you tweet about the contest let us know for another chance to win. If you post this contest at your blog, leave a comment with the link for yet another chance to win. Finally, if you are not already a subscriber to our blog, enter your email in the subscribe box for another chance to win. Just let us know that you have become a subscriber.

This contest ends on October 31. We'll post the winner here, so stay tuned! Good luck to all and thanks for playing!!

Feature Friday: Brenda Herp - Iris in Bloom

Today's Feature Friday highlights the work of Brenda Herp of Iris in Bloom.


How did you hear about etsy?

Martha Stewart did a segment on etsy one day and I thought that would be a good thing to try. I mentioned it to my friend and she went and set up her etsy site and said it was easy to do. I found out it was so simple to do and I have loved the concept of how you can advertise your craft and meet lots of different people and artists.


Tell us about yourself and your favorite craft/art!

I have always been involved in some kind of crafts whether it be sewing, crocheting, or decorating. I got into machine embroidery about 11 years ago and I have been obsessed since. I love to mix colors and put embroidery designs together on shirts, towels, denim or whatever I can put it on. There is no limit in what you can achieve with embroidery. Everyone has an idea of what they want and it is fun to make the item and see the satisfaction when you give it to them.

I do craft shows and have a lot of customers that spread my name because of what I created for them. This gets me phone calls with special orders, etc. I have sent orders from my etsy site to Oregon, New York, Oklahoma. Positive feedback is great and that makes you feel good about your work.

How did you get started as a designer?

I would not say I am a designer, I just put embroidery designs together
with colors that fit the item I am doing at the time. Maybe I am not sure
of the question of what defines a designer.


What inspires you to create?

I get a idea of what I think a design that I have bought will look
on a item, and away I go. I love creating and working with my hands.
A lot of what I do is one of a kind and I tell my customers "you have
an original!" They like that idea.

How long have you been a member of Bluegrass etsy and how did you hear about the team?

My friend Becky Keith (she is on the Bluegrass etsy team too) told me about it. Actually, her friend Carolyn (Cowgirl Rosie) and her daughter Robin were the brain behind the team. They had the idea and went with it. I have been a member for several months. I started my etsy website, IrisinBloom in March 2008.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?

Etsy is a good source to advertise your crafts and a way to tell
everyone about what you do.



To see more of Brenda's work, you can visit her Iris in Bloom etsy shop here.

Thanks Brenda for allowing us to interview you and learn more about your etsy shop. If you are a Bluegrass etsy team member and would like to be featured on an upcoming Feature Friday, contact Kim Ries at kimberven@earthlink.net.

To see more work from this talented Bluegrass etsy team, go to www.etsy.com and type teambluegrass in the search box.