"MEET the ARTISAN" is a blog series that spotlights Etsy New York Team artisans and their craft. In this feature, we learn more about Dina, the creator of Bugged Out.

Q: What is Bugged Out? Can you briefly describe your business for us?

A: Bugged Out is a line of my screen printed whimsical bug, fruit, veggie and critter designs on organic cotton onesies and T-shirts, cotton fleece hoodies, recycled cotton canvas tote bags and note cards. All Bugged Out products are designed and hand printed by my husband and me in NYC.

Q: Some artisans develop their products to meet consumer needs, while others craft products based on things and/or experiences that inspire them. What is the inspiration behind your business?

A: Bugged Out has a very personal meaning and has to do with my diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis in 1998. In April of that same year I formed a team for the MS Walk and named it “Bugged Out." I designed team T-shirts with an ant design, and my friends, family, and even complete strangers loved them! For the next several years the same happened with our team T-shirts with my other bug designs - so many people commented how great these designs would be on kids’ clothes that I decided to start Bugged Out, the company, in 2007! A percentage of the proceeds from Bugged Out sales goes directly to Multiple Sclerosis research at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Q: Oftentimes, each artisan has a different strategy and objective for their business. What are the next steps for you and your business?

A: To keep growing and hopefully soon have a small Bugged Out store!

Q: Can you tell us some of the partners you have made? Retail stores where we can find your product?

A: You can find Bugged Out in many retail and gallery shops. A few of the local ones are the Shop in the Garden at the New York Botanical Garden, Better Than Jam, Willy’s Toy Box and Lab Brooklyn.

Q: As many artisans look to grow and further develop their businesses, do you have some advice that you can share with fellow artisans?

A: I strongly advise to consider the production process when designing.

Special thanks to Dina for sharing with us. You can find her products showcased on her Etsy shop at www.buggedout.etsy.com. And, details of her special product GIVEAWAY are below. Please enter for your chance to win!

Enter to WIN H ERE!

Bugged Out reusable totebag made from recycled cotton canvas, with our fly design and “b.y.o.b. bring your own bug” on one side; the other side is blank.

Entry period ends at 11:59pm on Friday, May 15, 2015.

published by Susan Ng

www.NaturallySusans.Etsy.com | www.NaturallySusans.com

For the past few weeks we have been posting about the designers and creators who will be selling at this year's Celebrate Brooklyn Festival in Prospect Park. Today is part 4. Celebrate Brooklyn! started Wednesday June 4th and is held in Prospect Park.

Did you arrive to the park carrying all of your supplies? Check out Bugged Out! They have the cutest and most unique tote bags perfect for NYC. A sturdy canvas tote with bug illustrations. New to the line this summer is the bedbug! Dina is the creator of Bugged Out, a line of screen printed whimsical bug, fruit, veggie and critter designs on organic cotton baby and kids clothing, tote bags and note cards. Bugged Out started with team T-shirts for Dina’s MS Walk team way back in 1998! All Bugged Out designs are developed in our NYC studio, and our products are screen printed by hand in our Long Island City, Queens print shop. A percentage of the proceeds from Bugged Out sales goes directly to Multiple Sclerosis research. We are excited to return to the Etsy NY shop at Celebrate Brooklyn for our 4th season! Check them out online at buggedout.etsy.com.

Did you forget to bring something to sit on for the concert? Stop by the EtsyNY booth and pick up a picnic blanket. traceytoole is a line of housewares focusing on picnic blankets, napkins and tea towels for this year’s Celebrate Brooklyn. The organic blankets will feature prints by the famous artist Charley Harper. Founded many years ago in Portland while working at Columbia Sportswear, she likes creating items that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Canvas, cotton wovens and yarndyes are some of her preferred fabrics to work with. Tracey is on the EtsyNY blog team and also writes her own blog, as well as teach sewing. Past times include painting, gardening, quilting and knitting. These hobbies influence her products thru color and mediums. Tracey's studio is in Park Slope. Tracey is a freelance designer and a new mom. This is her second year at Celebrate Brooklyn, after taking last summer off after having a baby. She enjoys Celebrate Brooklyn because it is outside and the audience is uniquely Brooklyn! Shop online at tracey's etsy shop.

picnic blanket featuring charley harper print

Want to buy something uniquely Brooklyn and also learn a skill? DIY, do it yourself. Brooklyn DIY Supply creates prepackaged kits and supplies for busy adults to make homemade crafts and gifts. Founded by Bex and Elissa, they are two Brooklyn-based craftsters who live to make stuff and love to share what they've learned about making homemade consumables. From soap to pickles to cocktail bitters, they’ve taken the legwork out of DIY by providing you everything you need to make sensual, edible, or imbibe-able delights. They love what they do because they are first and foremost teachers, and they believe the world is a better place when you can create. This is their second year at Celebrate Brooklyn, where they love being part of the Etsy community. Pick up a new hobby at Celebrate Brooklyn this year with a kit from Brooklyn DIY Supply. Come to your next picnic with pickles, mustard or pretzels!

So next time you visit Celebrate Brooklyn! Pick yourself up a Bugged Out tote, grab a blanket to sit on and get a Brooklyn DIY kit for some crafting after the concert!

See you at the show!

Tracey

https://www.etsy.com/shop/traceytoole

"MEET the ARTISAN": Bugged Out + GIVEAWAY

Celebrate Brooklyn Artists Lineup Part 4