Meet Holiday Handmade Cavalcade Sponsor Purl Soho

We are incredibly fortunate to have Purl Soho as a Platinum sponsor of this year’s Holiday Handmade Cavalcade. Our next festive event will be held December 16-17 at the Brooklyn Historical Society in downtown Brooklyn.

Beloved by countless Etsy shop owners, Purl Soho supplies top quality materials for sewing, knitting, crocheting, and all embroidery needs. At its Soho store you will find an amazing array of pure and natural fibers and patterns for your next needlecraft project.

Since 2002, Purl has been sharing its passion for beauty and quality designs in its extremely customer-focused business. “At Purl Soho we have always worked to create a friendly and comfortable place for everyone: locals and tourists, beginners and experts, regulars and one-time shoppers,” says Purl’s Executive Assistant/Studio Manager, Laura Enos. “We foster an environment where customers become friends and our place is yours,” she adds.

Purl began as a tiny yarn shop on Sullivan Street, in the heart of New York City’s Soho neighborhood. Four years later in 2006, it opened a fabric store, Purl Patchwork, just a few doors down. And in 2010, the founders’ dream became a reality, when the present large and beautiful Purl Soho location opened its doors, furnishing all needlecraft materials under one roof.

Three co-owners, sisters Joelle and Jennifer Hoverson, and close friend, Page Marchese Norman, envision Purl as a home for crafters near and far, from around the corner and around the globe. Makers visit the Soho location as well as its online website. “We love to answer questions, share accomplishments, research solutions, and exchange inspiration,” say the owners, who are former editors and stylists. “It’s why we do what we do!”

In 2012, Purl proudly launched its own Purl Soho brand yarn, a super soft merino. They now boast nearly 20 yarns in their exclusive collection, plus linen fabrics, notions, and dozens of boxed kits.

And one of these learn-to- knit boxed kits could be yours, if you are a lucky Purl Soho raffle winner at this year’s Holiday Handmade Cavalcade. Every shopper at the holiday market will receive a raffle ticket with each purchase. Purl is also giving out a selection of its gorgeous super soft merino yarn in the Cavalcade goody bags this year. On any day of the Cavalcade, be one of the first 25 people to make a purchase from one of our talented local vendors and bring home this exceptional yarn in one of the complimentary Goody Bags!

Purl is excited to be such a large part of this year’s unique holiday event, and hopes you will visit its store online, or in person. They can’t wait to meet you!

MEET the ARTISAN: Wandering Laur Fine Art + GIVEAWAY

"MEET the ARTISAN" is a blog series that spotlights Etsy New York Team artisans and their craft. In this feature, we learn more about Lauren, the creator behind Wandering Laur Fine Art. 

Q: What is Wandering Laur Fine Art? Can you briefly describe your business for us?

A: I paint watercolors of various animals - dogs, cats, birds, and more - and produce limited edition high-quality prints, greeting cards, posters, and commissioned one-of-a-kind portraits. 

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: When I was a little girl, I loved animals and art so much that I used to tell anyone who asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up that I wanted to be a "veterinarian with pictures all over the walls," but ultimately, I decided I would rather wield a paintbrush than a scalpel.  So, you might say I was practically born with the inspiration! As the daughter of a veterinarian and an art dealer, my passion for both painting and animals was established very early.  I've painted all my life, and have done commissioned pet portraits for over a decade.  Most of the originals of the dog and cat prints in my shop currently hang in my father's animal hospital, in Rockaway Beach, New York. The hospital was destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, and when he rebuilt and reopened, I created watercolor paintings of my favorite breeds of dogs and cats to adorn the new walls. 

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

A:  I made Wandering Laur Fine Art official only a short time ago (the end of 2014), but it's been such fun so far, and I hope to keep expanding: I would love to partner with boutiques, especially pet boutiques and children's stores, and to continue to paint commissioned portraits, which I love to do!

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

A: My handpainted seaglass jewelry (available at www.etsy.com/shop/wanderinglaur) is available at several boutiques (including the End of the A mobile boutique in my hometown, Rockaway Beach!), and Wandering Laur Fine Art will be at various markets around NYC this spring and summer, starting with the opening weekend at Hester Street Fair, and every Saturday in June at the Renegade Craft Fair.

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: Do what you love!  I work full time and have two Etsy shops, but only because I enjoy all of it, and making art and sharing it on Etsy makes me happy. 

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

Enter to WIN HERE! 

Wandering Laur Fine Art: 8.5 x 11 Giclee Print

The winner will receive a limited edition, 8.5 x 11 free giclee print of his or her choice from Wandering Laur Fine Art - choose from any of the nearly 40 images in the "Limited Edition Prints" section of the shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/WanderingLaurFineArt?section_id=16104663&ref=shopsection_leftnav_1

Entry period ends at 11:59pm on Wednesday, July 15, 2015.

published by Susan Ng

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

March Madness on Etsy

Filling out brackets, eating great bar food and cheering on your team...for sports fans and non sports fans alike watching the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament on television can be a good time. Etsy can be an excellent place to look for unique fan gifts or even something special from your alma mater. 68 teams are in the big dance and five of them are featured below in the best Etsy has to offer for March Madness fans!

If it's setting a mood your looking for, look no further than this awesome Kentucky basketball card from Hop Skip Jump Paper. Personally, I'm not sure I love anyone more than Kentucky basketball so it would be hard for me to find a use for this...but it's a great card none the less.

If the Kentucky Wildcats are not your team maybe the Arizona Wildcats are? This adorable girls hair clip is made by our own Etsy NY team member Brooklyn Owl. It's a kind reminder it's never to early to start cheering for your team!

Wearing team gear on game day is important, decorating your home YEAR ROUND in support of your team is a must. This bold and graphic Oregon print from Painted Post will ensure all of your house guests know this is Ducks territory.

And while your guests are admiring your walls, you can prepare their game day feast on one of the beautiful cutting boards from AHierloom in Brooklyn. Even though Texas Longhorns didn't make it past the second round in the tournament, your home will definitely be a game day destination well into the Final Four featuring spreads like this!

Last but not least, every fan needs to show their pride with a awesome sticker. On the car or laptop this North Carolina Tarheels sticker from Pink House Press will let everyone know you chose the right North Carolina school to cheer for in March!      

Best of luck to your team in March and cheer on your team below in the comments section! 

~Amberlee Isabella