Weekly Product Review and Contest:art2theextreme

A few days ago I introduced readers to what the Etsy site is. However, I understand people sometimes miss days and I love this site so much that I want to make sure everyone is aware of this fabolous site, so I'm going to repeat my explanation of Etsy then introduce to you another wonderful seller.

Etsy's primary focus is as an opportunity for the general public to buy and sell handmade items. I have always loved going to craft fairs and this great site is like being able to go to a craft fair every day, even every hour if you like! I am personally a huge supporter of buying handmade items and for so many reasons. A handmade item to me seems more full of love, care, and adds a special quality to any item. I love having items that are produced from skill instead of at a huge manufacturing plant.
This very fun shop sure to inspire your creativity is called art2theextreme and the direct link to her shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5429966

The product I've been given the opportunity to review are the Rainbow Crayons. Aren't these so fun? The crayons measure approximately 2" wide and 1" deep, so they are great for little toddler hands. The size and shape are so much easier for our little toddlers. Below is a pic of my daughter holding one of the star shaped crayons and you can see how easy they are to grip for her.

Not too long ago, I decided to try make something similiar but do you have any idea just how many crayons are needed to make a rainbow crayon this large? Oh, and let me point out that the crayons I made crumbled in my daughter's hand. These crayons have been tried out for this review all week long and are holding up great! Rather than trying to save the hundreds of crayons, going through the process of trying to make them, and then having them crumble in your hands I highly recommend your purchasing her crayons instead!

Her Prices are FANTASTIC. The prices are great not just for the crayons but all of her products. For example, for a set of 3 star rainbow crayons it costs just $7.00. These crayons are so beautiful, so fun, and wonderful for our little ones to create art. They make great party favors and I plan on using them for stocking stuffers this year.

I just love all the shapes she offers. Wouldn't these crayons be a very fun way to teach about shapes?

Diamonds

Hearts CIRCLES
SQUARESSTARS

She also has crayons in nature shapes that would be wonderful to talk about the changing of seasons.

AUTUMN LEAVES AND PUMPKINS

FLOWERS BUTTERFLY

She offers some adorable plush animals on her site as well.

Primarily, this blog is about raising toddlers and reviews center around toddler products. However, I want to highlight a few neat products she offers for adults. I really like her sculpture, tie purse, and t-shirt memory quilt.






The blog owner was kind enough to answer a few questions about her and the product she offers, so that we might all get to know her better.


Q: Can you start by telling the readers a little bit about yourself?

Hi everyone! My name is Nicole Hanley and I am an artist and elementary art teacher from Indianapolis, Indiana. I have been creating art all my life and love every minute of it. In college, my main areas of focus were in printmaking and ceramics. Since I am an elementary art teacher, I now love making things for children (although I have none of my own...I am getting married on June 20th). I am also one of three Crafting Experts for SC Johnson (A Family Company). You can see my project ideas and kid friendly tips for crafting here: http://www.rightathome.com/view.aspx?pid=575



Q: What were you doing before deciding to start your own business?

Before I started my own business, I had graduated college the summer before and was about 5 months into my first year of teaching!



Q: How long have you been in business?

My Etsy shop has been open since November 2007 (It will be one year at the end of November).



Q: Tell me a little about what led you to start a business selling your items?

I love making my art and I believe that art should be affordable. I have been to so many craft fairs where things are SO expensive. I have art and craft people tell me all of the time to raise my prices, but I want people to be able to afford them. I kept seeing really neat things where I would think, "Hey, I could make that and make it much cooler." On a 2nd year art teacher's paycheck, and with a wedding in June, I wanted a way to make a little extra without consuming my life. Weddings are very expensive you know...



Q: Where do you draw inspiration for your creations, products, or services?

I am inspired by EVERYTHING! Travel is a huge part of inspiration. If you look into my shop, you will see several works of art and prints from my travels to Italy. I LOVE Italy and have been lucky enough to visit twice! I have traveled all over and been to countries like England, Scotland, Italy, and Mexico. My students are great sources of inspiration (after melting crayons to give my Kindergarten students during a texture unit, I thought it would be a great idea to sell). I look at magazines, art shows, craft fairs, colors of current fashions, prints on fabric, and I love COLOR!



Q: What are your best sellers?

My Rainbow Crayons are my best sellers along with the gocco "I'm Yours" greeting card. Many people like my prints in my shop. My fiancé's mom makes all of the Clowny Clowns, American Girl Doll Clothes, and plushies in my shop, which are very popular at my shows.



Q: What are your favorite designs?

Humm... That is a hard question. As far as Rainbow Crayons go, I love the Jumbo Flowers and Jumbo Stars. I also love the Large Butterfly Crayon (it is HUGE). Many people order that and instead of using it, they wind up placing it in a shadow box or framing it! That surprised me, but the colors are so cool and every crayon is different!



Q: What are your plans for the future?

In the near future, I will be putting out several Holiday and Christmas Rainbow Crayons. I will be adding more ceramics and new pendants to my shop as well after my holiday shows. My second book on Artist Trading Cards will be out December 1st, so that is keeping me pretty busy! My big plans and projects happen over the summer during my break.



Q: If you could give a one line phrase to describe your business what would it be?My slogan is, "Something for Everyone..."I believe my shop has a little something for everyone and different tastes.



Q: What makes your business unique?

I can never stick with one type of art for too long, so I would say that my business is unique because I offer a variety of products and art at all different price levels and styles.



Q: Where all are your items sold? Website? Ebay? Etsy? Blog?

My products can be found at my Etsy shop: www.art2theextreme.etsy.com. I also wholesale my crayons, which can currently be found at about 7 shops nationwide. My blog is pretty popular with several hundred views a day. I write about other Etsy shops, products, projects for kids, and tips for selling/blogging. You can visit my blog at: http://art2theextreme.blogspot.com/



Q: From visiting your shop, I see that you also offer products for adults. What kinds of art do you create?I create ceramics and prints (lino-cut that I carve by hand and gocco prints). I am currently getting into pendant making.



Q: What are all the shapes offered for the Rainbow Crayons? I have a TON of styles!-Original Mini (circles)-Mini Squares-Mini Hearts-Jumbo Stars-Jumbo Flowers-Jumbo Diamonds-Jumbo Original (circles)HOLIDAY-Jumbo Jack-O-Lanterns-Jumbo Leaves-Jumbo Ghosts-Jumbo Pumpkins-Easter Eggs**Christmas Trees and other Winter Crayons to come soon!



Q: Anything else you would want a potential customer to know?I am very friendly and am known for my quick service. I do offer 10% off on bulk orders for holiday or party favors (Rainbow Crayons are great for children's birthdays). I also offer wholesale on my crayons. Just contact me at my etsy shop or at art2theextreme [!at] yahoo.com


Guess what, it gets even better! This great artist has sponsored a giveaway for some of her star rainbow crayons. You are going to love them!

Official Rules:
IF YOU DO NOT LIST YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS ,IT ISN'T ON YOUR BLOG, AND THERE IS NO WAY TO LEAVE COMMENTS ON YOUR BLOG I HAVE NO WAY OF CONTACTING YOU. ALMOST EVERY GIVEAWAY, THE ORIGINAL PERSON DRAWN TO WIN CAN'T BE CONTACTED THEREFORE THE GIVEAWAY IS GIVEN TO THE NEXT NAME DRAWN.

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite art2theextreme product. The website is http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5429966.

2. For a second entry, you MUST first complete #1 (leaving a comment on this post). If you want a second entry, check out this post http://superfunmama.blogspot.com/2008/10/fancy-friday-naptimequilts4baby.html about another Etsy seller I featured and make a comment about her snake learning toy. IF THE FIRST STEP IS NOT COMPLETED, THIS ENTRY WILL NOT COUNT.

3. For a third entry, you must have completed both steps one and two first. Subscribe to my site and make a post letting me know about your subscription.

This contest is open only to those with a United States Shipping Address .This giveaway begins 10/29/2008 and ends 11/06/2008 11:59 PM Central Standard Time.The name will be chosen by Randomizer.org.