Etsy Now Magazine Issue #1

ETSY NOW! ZINE – ISSUE #1 – DEC 2013 Page 1 of 85



Table Of ContentsLetter From The Founder/Editor Of Etsy Now! . . . . . . . 5

Featured Etsy Items For December 2013 . . . . . . . . . 14

Featured Shop: Pretentious Beer Glass . . . . . . . . . 51

Featured Shop: Meriwether Of Montana . . . . . . . . . 64

Front Page Cover Photo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Coming Up In The January 2014 Issue . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80


Welcome to the first issue of Etsy Now! Magazine.

Hi, my name is David and I am the founder ofEtsy Now!, and the editor of it's online magazine.

I have to be honest about something... I've never been a magazine editor before and I haveonly recently self proclaimed myself to be

one, so you will have to bear with me as a learn along the way (smile).

I am very excited about Etsy Now!

Every day, week, and month I blog about the most interesting handmade items a shopper can find on Etsy, and I will include those items and many more in this monthly FREE magazine geared toward helping shoppers find the best quality handmade products, as well as hopefully help artists/crafters selling these products on Etsy, connect and build a bigger audience of fans and customers.

I think it's a win-win, and important thing for both


customers and craft artists to have this type of media available to build connections through.

Within a very short time after starting Etsy Now, I have had one Etsy seller send me feedback that one of the items featured on the Etsy Now blog sold shortly after I posted a promo for it, and that was very exciting for me tohear.

While there isn't any proof (through any means of mentionfrom the customer to the seller, that I am aware of) that the item sold because of exposure on Etsy Now, I would like to think that Etsy Now helped in that process to help that artist build her reputation in the craft industry by promoting the product, and that a lucky customer out there got a very unique and treasured item that he/she may have discovered on Etsy Now!

What makes me think that I have any authority or talent for finding the best handmade products sold on Etsy you might ask, and why are you promoting them?

Well I can tell you that I've done a lot of crafting myself formany years since I was a little boy, and I have spent manyyears on the internet selling my own hand-crafted products. In that time, I have studied and tried quite a few different crafts, and studied other artists work, and I have a rather long story to tell.


My earliest memories of crafting are from watching my mother make crafts of all sorts.

I remember back in the 70's, my mom use to be in a “craftof the month” club, in which she would receive a various craft kit in the mail.

I remember how it was always fun to watch her open up those packages, along with my brothers, and see what wasin the box, and while after all the excitement was over, us kids would go on about our child business (playing with Hot Wheels, board games, or whatever), I was the one outof the three boys always thinking “I want to make something”.

It's those craft kits my mom used to get into that I remember as the first thing that sparked my interest in crafting.

My mom is totally to blame for all of my craft talent and I am thankful for her inspiration for all of my creativity.

She is the one who taught me how to crochet when I was growing up.

I think I was around 10 years old at that time... I may have been older, or younger... who really knows?

When you are 43 years old, those kinds of details start to slip your mind lol.


That craft basically consumed my every thought at such a young age.

All I wanted to do every freakin' minute was crochet something.

I made some stuffed animals, some Christmas tree angels (that my mom still puts on her Christmas tree every year),made I don't know how many attempts to crochet a blanket (and have never once completed a single one, since I hate long projects like that)... once made a very butt ugly, way too large purple sweater that I think I wore to school once... only because my mama made me... because I spent so much time making it... (and never again!!!!). I taught myself how to knit when I was in my early teen's, not long after learning how to crochet.

Back then I really didn't develop that skill very well, and it wasn't until I gained interest as an adult, in my 30's to make and sell my hand knit/crochet hats on the internet, that I really developed a knitting talent worth looking at..... fast forward to present times, and now there are times when I can't keep any inventory in my own etsy shop. I guess people just love my awesome hats or something :-)

Shameless plug time: http://hatpit.etsy.com


http://hatpit.etsy.com/

I also taught myself, or maybe my mom taught me, how todo cross-stitching at a young age... which I'm sure I wouldstill love to do... but haven't done in many years.

In my 20's, while I was in the Army, I got into building airplane and battleship models.

That was really fun.

I ended up giving away all the models I made to military friends, and I haven't done any of those since I got out of the Army in 1996, but I think about getting back into it from time to time (one of the addictions of a crafter is thatonce you learn something you love, you never stop doing it, you just take long breaks doing it because your too busy doing other things you love doing).

In 1998 I discovered the internet, which after a short whilesparked a new crafting interest in an old art I first learned as a child...

In 1999 I discovered another artist selling her crochet hatson a website that also sold handmade hemp jewelry.

That discovery was the inspiration that got me started in selling my own hats online, where I started out on ebay, and eventually moved on to my own website, and also opened up a shop on etsy.

It was quite simple thinking... “If she can do that, I know damn well I can do that”.


So I started learning how to write my own crochet hat patterns, and learned how to do circular knitting, and eventually developed my own self designed hat products that people were buying faster than I could make them, and I've been selling them online since 1999.

At one point I even got into jewelry making and sold a few pieces of my own original beaded jewelry, and I'm always thinking I need to get back into doing that as well.

I've seen a lot of people make some really cool hand-crafted products in my time and I know I have a talent for spotting the best hand made things money can buy, and I need to be using that talent.

That is why I'm happy to put so much of my time into working on my new Etsy Now project for buyers and sellersalike, and help promote the art of buying and selling handmade products.

I do this solely for the purpose of promoting creativity.

Here is my promise to the shoppers: I promise to always use my talents to select only the absolute best quality, and eye-catching products on etsy, to present to you on the Etsy Now blog and in this monthly magazine every day, week, and month that I can.

I will promote products that will thrill you, get you excited about buying hand-crafted goods, and give you great gift


buying ideas for those times when the person who has everything, will love everything you buy on etsy.

I spend a lot of time browsing through the products sold on Etsy every day so that I can find only the best and mostinteresting things.

Because of that reason, I have no intentions of wasting your time, or my time promoting anything other than things I know everyone will love made by very talented craft artists who are bringing their “A game” to the hand-crafted product industry that Etsy is.

I promise that the Etsy Now! Magazine will always be free for you to download and enjoy.

Here is my promise to the sellers: First and foremost, while I do use photos from etsy product pages to promote a really cool item I see being sold, I promise never to use an artists product photo for any other reason than to promote that item and try to help the artist sell the item presented.

In this avenue of promotion, I don't always have time to contact a seller to let them know I have promoted one of their items... because I am most often too busy moving onto finding the next awesome item to promote.

With that said, as a fellow artist myself, I know that every good artist selling his or her goods needs all the help he orshe can get to promote the items they spent so much time


planning out and creating, and I know it would thrill me to death personally to find out someone promoted one of my items freely, and honestly.

So I am saying here and now that I will always credit each item's photo on the blog and in this magazine with a directlink to the etsy product page, and a direct link to the artist's etsy shop.

This is to ensure that everyone viewing a promoted item on Etsy Now and in this magazine as well, will know who created the item and where to go on Etsy, so they can buy it, or see more details about it, and from there, those interested will be able to see everything you are offering.

Second, there will be very affordable Etsy Now! Magazine advertising opportunities for etsy sellers in the future.

You will be able to purchase text links with shop description adverts, as well as image advertising in varioussizes to be printed in Etsy Now! Magazine.

Think about it... one advert purchase could potentially be seen by thousands who download the magazine, bringing alot of exposure to your etsy shop.

More details about advertising opportunities will be posted on www.etsynow.com as I develop the program, or will bein either the January or February 2014 issue.

Last but certainly not least, I want to thank everyone for


http://www.etsynow.com/

downloading this magazine and for following my www.etsynow.com shoppers blog.

Sincerely,

David Thrift

Etsy Now! Magazine


http://www.etsynow.com/


Mandarin Concrete Long Prism Necklace

By: Cocorrina - $24.91

View Details – Buy On Etsy

I have to admit, this made me smile when I saw it. Whoever would dream that a pendant made from concrete could look so cool as a fashion statement? As I was browsing through the artistsshop on etsy, I realized from her reviews that these are jewelry items for women, but I can’t help but think that these would look cool for men as well if she used a silver chain, and maybe a black band of color instead of the gold… just my personal take on this absolutely awesome concept.

Also here is a direct link to see more items the seller is offering.


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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/157740389/mandarin-concrete-long-prism-necklace?ref=shop_home_active

Copper Chain Dangle Earrings, Vintage Chain and Beads

By: ModernVintageStudio - $34.50

View Details - Buy On Etsy

A beautiful set of vintage style, dangle earrings with rose colored faceted teardrops. Click the link above to go check it out.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/124794558/copper-chain-dangle-earrings-vintage?ref=shop_home_active

Amazing Hand Carved From Dear Antler Demon Skull

By: Balibagus - $21.50


Amazing artwork. I love skulls!! This would make a nice little trinket to keep on your computer desk. Click the link above to go check it out.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/168192196/amazing-detail-xl-hand-carved-demons?ref=shop_home_active

Wire Tree With Blue Beads

By: WireMyTree - $20.00


Another item that would make a cool desk top decoration.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/83417695/wire-art-tree-silver-plated-wire?ref=shop_home_active

Fire Painted Copper Pendant

By: WildHareDesign - $34.00


Here's an amazing copper pendant that is great for any guy. The pendant is attached to a handmade spiral bail and comes on a leather cord with a copper button closure. Click the link above to go check it out.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/127332615/new-fire-painted-copper-pendant?ref=shop_home_active

Zelda Triforce Lamp

By: TheBackPackShoppe - $69.00


Cool lamp for Zelda fans!! Click the link above to go check it out.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/93652243/zelda-triforce-lamp-original-hanging-or?ref=shop_home_active

Bitches For Life BFF Necklaces

By: TwentySix7 - $25.00


Bitches For Life. BFF necklaces. Click the link above to go check it out.



https://www.etsy.com/shop/TwentySix7

https://www.etsy.com/listing/164968873/bitches-for-life-necklaces-bff-split?ref=shop_home_active

Large Wind Chime Made

Of Bamboo And

Colorful Beads

By: Onwards

$45.00

AWESOME!!!!


It is the simple things in life that can sometimes bring the most happiness. I'm sure this item would bring a lot of happiness and smiles to the front porch deck of any home. Just look at all those happy colors. It would also look great hanging in a tree, or out in your garden. Click the link above to go check it out.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123643948/wind-chime-made-of-bamboo-and-colorful?ref=shop_home_active

Vintage Football Stationary

By: EdelweissPost - $25.00


Football season stationary!! Very cool for football fans. Useful for sending holiday cards to your favorite football fans. Click the link above to go check it out.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/165170003/vintage-football-stationery-postal?ref=shop_home_active

Jewelry Catcher Bowl

By: btaylorquilts - $15.00


Need something for your dresser or nightstand where you can drop your jewelry when not wearing it? Check out this soft jewelrycatcher bowl.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/127105058/jewelry-catcher-bowl-jewelry-dish-small?ref=shop_home_active

Vintage Style Crystal Pendants

By: Bumhemian - $32.00


Crystal pendants in various accented colors. You get to choose your favorite color.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/158435255/vintage-boho-cable-chain-czech-faceted?ref=shop_home_active

Darth Vader IsRiding It T-shirt

By:EngramClothing

$23.00

Cool shirt for Star Wars fans.




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/108360414/darth-vader-is-riding-it-mens-t-shirt?ref=shop_home_active

Men's House Slippers Crochet Pattern

By: BallHanknSkein - $4.00


As a guy who has personally crocheted a pair of similar house shoes for myself, I can very well tell you that these handmade shoes are sooo comfy!! Grab your yarn, a crochet hook and then go buy this pattern and make yourself these shoes in your favoritecolors.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/94615595/mens-house-slippers-crochet-pattern-in-5?ref=shop_home_active

Carpe Diem Necklace - By: carpediemjewellery - $65.00




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122193756/carpe-diem-silver-color-mens-necklace?ref=shop_home_active

Gremlins Stripe Men's T-shirt

By: vortextradingcompany - $24.00




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/62581390/gremlins-stripe-mens-tshirt?ref=shop_home_active

Men's Ocean Jasper Necklace

By: FerozasjewelryForMen - $38.00


Such a cool necklace. Love the random colors!! Beautiful 8mm ocean jasper rondelles necklace. Silver plated lobster clasp. Necklace measure 19" long.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/118460212/mens-necklace-mens-jewelry-mens-ocean?ref=shop_home_active

Men's Deep Sea Octopus Diver T-shirt

By: lastearth - $19.00




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/126296599/mens-deep-sea-octopus-diver-t-shirt?ref=shop_home_active

Men's AnimalT-shirt

Dapper FoxOn Rust

Color

$19.50

By: ScatterbrainTees




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/92644320/dapper-fox-tshirt-on-rust-mens-animal?ref=shop_home_active

Man Cave Rules Wood Sign

By: SignNiche - $28.00


My room. My cave. My rules. My way, or the highway.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123126672/man-cave-rules-wood-sign?ref=shop_home_active

Adrian Mandala Original Painting - By: tuffjulz - $75.00




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/161269072/original-artwork-adrian-mandala?ref=shop_home_active

Czech Spider Pin Brooch

By: pinguim - $68.00


I wanted not to be fascinated by this, but I just couldn't pass it up. Those aqua color stones are just beautiful. It is labeled as vintage supply from the 1930's so looks to be antique. If it hasn'tsold by the time this magazine gets out I think it would make a great vintage style gift for anyone who collects pins.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151088055/sale-czech-spider-pin-brooch-deep-aqua?ref=shop_home_active

Self Control Bracelet

By: WireAndRoses

$12.50


Here's a nice, unique bracelet for a lucky lady. Love the wine bottle opener charm, and the self control heart charm can be a reminder to control bad habits.



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/169040311/self-control-bracelet-irony-weird-stuff?ref=shop_home_active

https://www.etsy.com/listing/169040311/self-control-bracelet-irony-weird-stuff?ref=shop_home_active

Sexy Gill-man (Creaturefrom the Black Lagoon)

- 11" x 17" Art Print

By: modusDeoudes

$21.00


Fan's of freak horrormovie classics will lovethis print, as well as someof the other prints thisartist has up for sale onetsy such as Nosferatu,Godzilla, Predator, Alien,King Kong, and more.

Also here is a direct link tosee more items the selleris offering.


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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/162034365/sexy-gill-man-creature-from-the-black?ref=shop_home_active

Macrame Rainbow Mandala Necklace

By: GlobalGypsyJewelry - $60.00


Here's some hippy style retro coolness for ya. That must have taken hours to make! It's so amazing!!



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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/150965946/macrame-rainbow-mandala-necklace?ref=shop_home_active

Shanty Man LogCarrier

By: PegandAwl

$115.00

Make your cold weather log carrying job easy with this waxed canvas and leather log carrier created by Margaux and

Walter. Be sure to check out all of their pictures on etsy as this looks to be a very high quality, durable, and functional item.




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/167859440/shanty-man-log-carrier-waxed-canvas-and?ref=shop_home_active

The Red Barn /Original PaintingAnd Frame / Day

And Night

By: AnelehART

$22.00

How cool andunique!!, a niceoriginal paintingthat also comeswith it's ownoriginal paintedframe and"day/night" arttheme. This wouldmake an awesomehome decor item for anyone who loves an art theme centered around opposites.




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/170836341/original-painting-and-frame-the-red-barn?ref=shop_home_active

Super Mario StarChristmas Tree

Topper

$20.00

A perfect tree topper for all Super Mario game fans.

By: MarcelineRetroGaming




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/117630442/super-mario-star-christmas-tree-topper?ref=shop_home_active

HandmadeCeramic Vase

With StampingAnd Twigs

By: CristPottery

$165.00

Gorgeous hand-formed vasebeautifully glazed incolors of brown,gold, plum, green,and aqua withnature elementimpressions offlowers, leaves, andseedpods. It'sperfect for someonewho loves nature,and fine art stylehome décor.




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/170840393/handmade-ceramic-vase-with-stamping-and?ref=shop_home_active

Turnip Shaped ToySpinning Top

By: davidturnsbowls

$12.00

This, and others like it inother colors and shapes are made by David on on Vashon Island, WA, from locally grown, salvaged hardwoods. Slow air-drying & skillful turning results in an

exceptionally well balanced top. This would make a beautiful desktoy to watch when you are deep in thought about a project, or just bored.




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/73673101/turnip-shaped-toy-spinning-top?ref=shop_home_active

Knitted Owl Small Stuffed Toy

By: EightLittleFingers - $8.00

This hand-knit miniature owl measuring 3.5” tall would make an excellent desk companion to keep company with throughout a hard day at work.




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/164198713/knitted-owl-small-stuffed-toy-stuffed?ref=shop_home_active

Stuffed RaccoonSew By HandPattern PDF

By:LittleHibouShoppe

$4.00

This item made methink of my dad,who has been a life-long “coon hunter”. I think this would besomething fun to sit down with one day while it's raining outside. Just sit by the window and watch it rain while creating something to decorate your room with, or to give to a kid. Lot's of other patterns to choose from also such as owls, grumpy cat, dinosaur, safari animals, beaver, squirrel, Santa Clause, snowman, fox, moose, chicken, llama, deer, bear, lamb, cow, pig, horse, penguin,skunk, woolly mammoth, frog, baby duck, turtle, seal, hedgehog, and my personal favorite, a robot.




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/57854598/stuffed-raccoon-pattern-sew-by-hand?ref=shop_home_active

Long GorgeousPersimmon CoralAnd Gold Beaded

Agate DruzyNecklace

$45.00

By: uniquebeadingbyme

I love Adriana's sense of style in her jewelry creations for women, especially her long necklaces. Her color choices, and material selections are spectacular. You could spend all day browsing her shop and just be amazed, in fact I urge you to. At the time I stopped to spot this item for the magazine, I noticed she had 268 items in her shop. Go look!!!




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/157718407/long-gorgeous-persimmon-coral-and-gold?ref=shop_home_active

Kraken Octopuss Art Print

Sizes And Prices Vary

By: AdamsAleArtPrints

Here is an amazing vintageart print that is perfect forany nautical home décor. Irecommend if you considerpurchasing this item tosplurge and get the largestsize. This is an awesome oldillustration that will beadmired by all who visit yourhome.




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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/125858517/kraken-octopus-art-print-kraken-octopus?ref=shop_home_active

Large Abstract OriginalPainting In Colors Of

Avacado, Gold,Chocolate, Rust, White,Beige, Teal, and Black

Size: 24” X 48”

By: heartifactsgallery

$275.00

This painting is signed on the side so can be hung horizontally or vertically to your preference.



T H I S A R T I S A M A Z I N G ! !


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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/80518108/large-abstract-original-painting-in?ref=shop_home_active



Story by Matthew Cummings Originally Published on Etsy on Oct 07, 2013 in Shop

My name is Matthew Cummings and I make vessels that contain happiness, or as some people call it: beer. My shop is called Pretentious Beer Glass. I live and work in Louisville, Kentucky, land of the Derby, Bourbon,and Kick-Ass Kentuckians.


http://www.npr.org/2013/01/28/170451439/unbridled-kentuckians-decide-its-time-for-a-kick-ass-new-slogan

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

https://www.etsy.com/blog/en/category/shop/

https://www.etsy.com/blog/en/authors/pretentiousglassguy/


The main motivation behind the Pretentious Beer Glass was to create a line of handmade glass objects that anyone could afford and that Ibe proud of. The other motivating factor was theglaring lack of creative design glassware for modern craft beers. Craft beer is so-named because each beer is handcrafted by the brewer.The glassware designs that you see in your favorite bars have been virtually unchanged for the last fifty years or so, and most of them were


originally intended for other beverages. If you have ever had a great Belgian beer served in a Shaker Pint, you know the frustration I feel. A handcrafted beer deserves a handcrafted glass. My glasses are not just artistic — there’s actually a bit of logic and, dare I say, science behind the designs. Every aspect of the glass serves a purpose, enhancing the appearance and aroma of the beer, and in turn, your enjoyment.


Every beer glass begins the exact same way: asa molten glob of glass measuring in at around 2100˚ Fahrenheit. The glasses are inflated with my own breath and shaped using the same toolsthat glass blowers have used for hundreds of years. When the glasses are fully formed, they are annealed (slowly lowered to room temperature) overnight. Once the glasses are cooled, each vessel has to be ground or engraved — everything is done by hand. The


hoppy glasses are taken a step further than the rest of the designs – the grooves for your handsare engraved (not etched) into the glass with a vintage Austrian lathe. This is the same technique used in cut crystal. Once the glasses are finished to PBGC standards, they are boxed up and shipped out. What comes next is the best part: great beer is poured into them and nirvana is achieved!



There really isn’t anything like the Pretentious Beer Glass Company in the studio glass world. I design my glasses with the sole intent of highlighting a great brew: no color, no reliance on traditional forms. Because I make each glassby hand, the PBGC is the definition of rapid prototyping. I can experiment and innovate beerglasses in a way that big glassware companies could never match. That is and has always beenthe power of the artisan and the handmade.



Before PBGC, I only made time-intensive, one-of-a-kind artworks. This involved a very isolatedstudio practice where I would only interact with the public a few times a year at gallery openings. With the beer glasses, I meet people all the time. I have them over to the studio on aregular basis to pick up their orders, and maybeeven have a pint or two of my home-brew while chatting about beer. I also do pop-up stores at bars every month or so and get a chance to


meet beer enthusiasts in their natural environment. I have to say that I have never met a beer fanatic that I didn’t like!



Authorship and craftsmanship are of the upmostimportance to me. Design-wise, I am trying to reinvent the wheel with each new beer glass. I want the craft component of these glasses to beable to hold their own beside my sculpture. After spending a decade honing my skills as a glassblower, I hope that the fans of PBGC can appreciate the level of craft in each glass.

Maker and studio photographs by Nicholas Coll, product shots by Pretentious Beer Glass.

Content of this article was published with requested permission by the shop owner.




http://about.me/nicholascoll


Story by Dan Brown Originally Published on Etsy on Oct 28, 2013 in Shop

My name is Dan Brown, and my shop is Meriwether of Montana. I make a variety of eclectic and inspired wooden goods for the home and field.

I’ve always been passionate about design, and I


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

https://www.etsy.com/blog/en/category/shop/

https://www.etsy.com/blog/en/authors/meirwetherofmontana/

worked for many years as a graphic designer. Over time, I eventually realized that I longed to create designs that I could actually touch, hold and use. I decided to give up graphic design andbegin making things for the real world.


Most makers focus on a very specific product or niche. I make everything from handcrafted axesto home furnishings to designs for the kitchen and bath. My only rule is that what I make be both an item of function and of enduring beauty,and of course be made of wood. This allows me to cast a very wide net. My products appeal to both men and women and to people from all walks of life – from interior designers to huntersand fishermen.



My design process is best described as patient and thought-out. Creating designs that are bothfunctional and beautiful means that you can’t just shoot from the hip. How does an item feel in your hand? Is it functional? Does it have a purpose? Can it serve as a design element in my home when not being used? All of these questions come into play and are an important part of the process.



Owning a creative business has changed me in so many ways. I am always challenging myself to come up with new ideas. It is so important tokeep everything fresh and always be pushing fornew designs. I just love that! It never gets boring because there is always some new design to build and shoot and promote. Every day is different, and there is certainly no dull routine.



Being a craftsman and an artisan has become a way of life for me and my family. We live in a remote area high up in the Rocky Mountains of Western Montana, where there really are not many jobs. Our livelihood depends on my abilityto create unique products that are executed with superior craftsmanship. It’s an amazingly fun, rewarding and challenging way of life. Being a self-sustaining artisan provides me with a lifestyle that allows me to spend time with my


children, and it gives me the flexibility to spend time in the woods.

All photographs by Meriwether of Montana. Contents of this article was published with requested permission from the shop owner.


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

Front Page Cover Photo

Photo by: David Thrift 11/04/2013

Woodland view on the banks of West Point Lake,Georgia at Long Cane Park.


Coming Up In TheNext Issue #2January 2014

This brings a close to the first issue of Etsy Now! Magazine. I really hope you liked this first issue. I spent the whole month of November 2013 working to put it together:-)

I really wish that I'd had more time to add even more content but you know..... life...ETSY NOW! ZINE – ISSUE #1 – DEC 2013 Page 76 of 85

Coming up in the next issue I plan to start a section in the magazine that focuses on one particular style of craft. I've been thinking a lot about hemp jewelry over the past month of working on this first issue and so I'm thinking that I will do a segmentin Issue #2 focusing on handmade hemp jewelry, which is one of the most popular styles of handmade jewelry among both men and women for decades. I think it willbe fun to see some of the really cool hemp necklaces that can be found on etsy.

There also hopefully will be more featured shop segments if I'm able to contact more sellers, and as I also enjoy photography a ETSY NOW! ZINE – ISSUE #1 – DEC 2013 Page 77 of 85

lot, I'm also planning on including more of my personal photos in the next issue. Therewill be a full page photo gallery of some fallseason photos I took at Long Cane Park, onWest Point Georgia Lake in November 2013... one of my favorite places to go be outdoors. I had intended to put those pictures in this first issue, but I ran out of time trying to get this issue together, and doing other things I had to do.

I'll see you next month in January 2014 in Issue #2.



CREDITS

The Christmas tree clipart used to make the holiday card on page 2 is provided by Free Clipart N Images

For allowing use of and publication of featured etsy shop article material, a BIG THANKS goes to Dan Brown and Matthew Cummings.

A big thanks to OpenOffice for the free and open source OpenOffice Writer word processing program with it's awesome export to pdf feature, for without the amazing software I could not create Etsy Now! Magazine.


http://www.openoffice.org/

https://www.etsy.com/blog/en/authors/pretentiousglassguy/



http://freeclipartnimages.blogspot.com/2011/10/free-christmas-tree-holiday-flower_25.html


Congrats to the

Auburn Tigers For

Winning The Iron

Bowl Against

Alabama On

Saturday November

30th, 2013


WAR

EAGLE!!ETSY NOW! ZINE – ISSUE #1 – DEC 2013 Page 83 of 85



Documents

Etsy Now Magazine Issue #1