Createability Team Etsy

10 Year Old Boy with Autism Sings Open the Eyes of My Heart

2012-02-03T00:11:00.000-05:00

10 Year Old Boy with Autism Sings Open the Eyes of My Heart:

'via Blog this'

Etsy Team Spirit Award

2011-12-16T20:51:00.000-05:00

This week's spirit award goes to the amazing Createability Team. This group is composed of artists with disabilities, as well as caregivers for disabled people, who use Etsy to connect with others. Their mission is "to take back control of the terms used around our various conditions and bring knowledge and awareness to those around us." Members are very motivated and support one other emotinally and by promoting each others' shops. This team has been around since '08 and continues to be an inspiration to the Etsy Teams program. Keep up with Createability on theirblog or browse the photos in their Flickr group.

This announcement came on Monday, December 12, 2011. I was informed today, Friday December 16, 2011 that we will be receiving a trophy from Etsy for this honor.

I would like the Thank everyone on Createability Team for making this an Award Winning Team and Welcome to All of our new members. I will post photos of the trophy as soon as it arrives.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Or whatever Holiday you celebrate at this time of year! May 2012 be even better for us all!

FTC Rules on PROMPT DELIVERY

2011-12-15T20:56:00.001-05:00

Do you know that the rulings of the Federal Trade Commission applies to you? Did you know that if you can’t ship within the promised time (or within 30 days if you made no promise), you must notify the customer of the delay, provide a revised shipment date and explain his right to cancel
and get a full and prompt refund.

Also, you have the right to cancel orders that you can’t fill in a timely manner, but you must promptly notify the customer of your decision and make a prompt refund.

Here is a link to an article on PROMPT DELIVERY RULES that we should all be familiar with. FTC: Insuring Prompt Delivery of Items Sold Online

Insurance: What do I need for my business?

2011-11-16T23:30:00.001-05:00

Do you have business insurance? If not, you may be at risk. You may not even realize you need it until you go to register for a craft show and they ask you for a certificate of insurance.

What they are asking is that you provide proof of business liability insurance, usually $1 million dollars worth, with a specific certificate showing them as additional insured. You need to get this for that specific event from your insurance agent. You can also purchase it for a specific event at sites like http://www.specialeventinsurance.com/exhibitors-insurance.html
http://www.vendorinsurenow.com/
http://www.filmins.com/programs/annual-vendors-exhibitors-insurance.htm

But as a business owner, you need to consider other insurance needs.

Business product liability: Do you produce something that can harm someone? Maybe a doll or stuffed animal? A food product? A skincare product? If so, think what would happen if someone sued you for damages from your product. If you don't have the proper insurance, you won't be able to recover your losses of equipment and products.

Your homeowners policy may even be VOIDED if you have a claim as a result of your business. For example, I have two kilns. If one causes a fire and burns my house down, I would not be able to recover my loss from my regular homeowners policy.

This is NOT an all inclusive list. See your insurance agent for details specific to your situation.

Resources for Small Businesses by State

2011-11-16T23:28:00.001-05:00

http://www.thinkinglike.com/State-by-State-Business-Resources.html

Team Spirit Award Nomination Form

2011-11-02T13:45:00.000-04:00

Team Spirit Award Nomination Form: "Team Spirit Award Nomination Form
Throughout November and December of 2011 we will be granting specific Etsy Teams with a weekly Team Spirit Award to recognize hard work and exemplary accomplishments. What exactly IS team spirit, you ask? Well, we want you to tell us!

We believe that team spirit takes many forms — it can refer to the impact a team has on its community, the way members support one another, or the success of a collaborative project.

We want Etsy Teams to lead by example, and get recognition for the amazing work that they do all year round. Team Spirit Award recipients will be announced every Monday in the Teams Newsletter (sign up to receive that at etsy.com/mailinglist ), be featured in a Community Stories post on the Etsy Blog and receive a handmade trophy in the mail!

So, what does team spirit mean to you? Let us know by filling out the form "

'via Blog this'

Member's New Shops

2011-10-31T03:29:00.000-04:00

Check out CindyLou's new shop opening Nov 2. Congratulations!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CindyLouDoesStats

Beth also has a new shop,Bethiefliestoo
http://www.etsy.com/shop/bethiefliestoo

Anyone else?

Living Healthy with Diabetes Guide

2011-10-31T03:07:00.004-04:00

http://www.diabetes.org/assets/pdfs/living-healthy-with-diabetes-guide.pdf

NOVEMBER AWARENESS TOPICS

2011-10-31T03:04:00.000-04:00

November
1 - 30 American Diabetes Month American Diabetes Association 1701 North Beauregard Street Alexandria, VA 22311 (800) DIABETES (342-2383) (703) 549-1500 (703) 549-6995 Faxaskada@diabetes.org www.diabetes.org Materials available Contact: Local Chapters	1 - 30 COPD Awareness Month American Lung Association 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20004 (800) 548-8252 (202) 452-1805 Faxinfo@lungusa.org www.lungusa.org/about-us/our-impact/top- stories/november-is-copd-awareness_1.htm l Materials available Contact: None designated
1 - 30 Diabetic Eye Disease Month Prevent Blindness America 211 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1700 Chicago, IL 60606 (800) 331-2020 (312) 363-6001 (312) 363-6052 Faxinfo@preventblindness.org www.preventblindness.org Materials available Contact: PBA Consumer and Patient Hotline	1 - 30 Foot Health Issues Related to Diabetes Awareness Month American Podiatric Medical Association 9312 Old Georgetown Road Bethesda, MD 20814 (301) 581-9200 (301) 530-2752 Faxwww.apma.org Materials available Contact: None designated
1 - 30 Lung Cancer Awareness Month Lung Cancer Alliance 888 16th Street NW, Suite 150 Washington, DC 20006 (202) 463-2080 (202) 463-7497 Faxinfo@lungcanceralliance.org www.lungcanceralliance.org Materials available Contact: Kay Cofrancesco	1 - 30 National Family Caregivers Month National Family Caregivers Association 10400 Connecticut Avenue, Suite 500 Kensington, MD 20895-3944 (800) 896-3650 (301) 942-2302 Faxinfo@thefamilycaregiver.org www.thefamilycaregiver.org Materials available Contact: None designated
1 - 30 National Healthy Skin Month American Academy of Dermatology 930 East Woodfield Road Schaumburg, IL 60173 (888) 462-DERM (462-3376) (847) 330-0230 (847) 330-8907 Faxmediarelations@aad.org www.aad.org Materials available Contact: Allison Sit	1 - 30 National Hospice Palliative Care Month National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization 1731 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (800) 646-6460 (703) 837-1500 (703) 837-1233 Faxjradulovic@nhpco.org www.nhpco.org Materials available Contact: Jon Radulovic
1 - 30 National Stomach Cancer Awareness Month No Stomach For Cancer, Inc. 9202 Waterside Drive, #203 Middleton, WI 53562 (608) 335-0241 info@nostomachforcancer.org www.nostomachforcancer.org Materials available Contact: Karen Chelcun-Schreiber	1 - 30 Prematurity Awareness Month March of Dimes Foundation 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, NY 10605 (914) 997-4488 (914) 997-4763 Faxaskus@marchofdimes.com www.marchofdimes.com Materials available Contact: Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center
6 - 12 Drowsy Driving Prevention Week National Sleep Foundation 1522 K Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 347-3471 (202) 347-3472 Faxnsf@sleepfoundation.org drowsydriving.org/resources/drowsy-drivi ng-prevention-week-toolkit/ Materials available Contact: Jennifer Cowher Williams	14 - 20 Get Smart About Antibiotics Week Division of Bacterial Diseases National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS-C23 Atlanta, GA 30333 (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636) (404) 639-3636 (404) 639-3970 Faxdjohnson13@cdc.gov www.cdc.gov/getsmart Materials available Contact: Darcia Johnson
17 Great American Smokeout American Cancer Society 250 Williams Street NW Atlanta, GA 30303 (800) ACS-2345 (227-2345)acsf2f.com/gaso/ Materials available Contact: National Office	17 Prematurity Awareness Day March of Dimes Foundation 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, NY 10605 (914) 997-4488 (914) 997-4763 Faxaskus@marchofdimes.com www.marchofdimes.com Materials available Contact: Pregnancy and Newborn Health Education Center
19 National Survivors of Suicide Day American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 120 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, NY 10005 (212) 363-3500 x33 (212) 363-6237 survivingsuicideloss@afsp.org www.afsp.org Materials available Contact: Rebecca Thorp	20 - 26 Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Awareness Week International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders P.O. Box 170864 Milwaukee, WI 53217-8076 (888) 964-2001 (414) 964-1799 (414) 964-7176 Faxiffgd@iffgd.org www.aboutgerd.org/site/about-gerd/gerd-a wareness-week Materials available Contact: Nancy Norton

Self Care Articles and Booklets - FREE

2011-10-31T03:00:00.002-04:00

Thanks to new member Pauline Salvucci for sharing this link to her website. You can find free articles and booklets on health issues. http://www.self-care-online.com

In memory of our dear friend Amberlin Wu

2011-10-07T18:29:00.002-04:00

Amberlin Wu, aka muddipuppy lived her motto of "Be a Light". Here is more about her in her own words found in her Etsy shop and her blogs -

muddipuppy's Shop Announcement

HelloWonderful You!

Welcome to muddipuppy! No need to wipe your feet. Poke around and see what youlike. Hope you have a lovely visit!

All images can be made into cards and prints of different sizes. Feel free toconvo me if you want a special piece that you don't see listed.

All proceeds go to raising awareness about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Formore information on CFS, please see my profile.

Proud member of:
SF Etsy Bay Area Street Team
Invisible Diseases Team
Createability Team

muddipuppy work can be seen at:
the delightful Rose and Thorn, outside of Sebastapol, California.
the whimsical Azuca in downtown Los Gatos, California.
the fanciful Kingston Ellis on Napa Street in Sonoma, California.

For more muddistuff: www.muddipuppy.blogspot.com

Fromher Etsy Profile:

I grew up with paint, yarn, sidewalk chalk, and basicallyevery craft item you could ever imagine all around me. My mom is an artist aswell as the most creative person on earth, so whenever there wasn’t somethingto do, that’s what we did – made stuff. I have continued to make stuff for allof my life. Jack of many media, master of none, I simply make art because it’sgood for me.

I came out of college with the big bright worldahead of me and unexpectedly fell ill with chronic fatigue syndrome. 14 yearslater I continue to work at having that big life in the tiny box that thisillness has built around me. Art has been a reliable and inspiring companion.

When we are no longer able to change a situation,we are challenged to change ourselves.
- Viktor E. Frankl

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known aschronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS), is a serious chronicillness that results in profound fatigue and a number of other painful anddebilitating symptoms.

My CFS blog:http://bealightcfsawareness.blogspot.com/

The CDC estimates that approximately 4 millionAmericans suffer from CFS and has compared the experience to the last fourmonths of having AIDS.

About a quarter of the people with CFS areunemployed or receiving disability.

CFS costs the U.S. economy about $9 billionannually.

-from the US Department of Health (2008)

From her Blogger Profile:

Just aPuppy in the Mud

· Location: Mountain View : California : United States

About Me

Hello there, lovely person! I am a silly andserious person, dancer, writer, therapist, activist, and friend. I'mparticularly good at listening when you are talking about serious things andlaughing when you are talking about funny things, mixing colors and convincingcarrots to grow. I'm particularly challenged by stopping when I'm supposed to,sleeping through the night and putting things away. I have chronic fatiguesyndrome, the Bad kind, and it has changed and made its best attempts to ruinmy life. But one must keep soldiering on. So I do, paint brush in hand. Thanksfor stopping by.

Afellow friend and teammate shared the news with us last night,

Hi teampeeps. I have some very sad news. I recently learned that one of our teammembers, www.etsy.com/shop/muddipuppy , passed away on Tuesday. Shestruggled with cfs for nearly 20 years and had gotten worse during the pastyear or two (including a few hospitalizations). I don’t know the immediatecause of death, but there can be no doubt that the illness itself took animmense, irrevocable toll on her.

She had so many hopes and dreams, and not just for a cure or even a viabletreatment for cfs, but dreams of creating safe group housing for cfs patientsso we wouldn’t all have to be isolated and alone with this nightmarish disease.she had dedicated herself to raising awareness about the illness andparticipated in fundraising for research and advocacy as well.

even though we lived in the same town, I only met Amberlin twice; we were bothtoo ill to attend our local support group on any regular basis. I loved the artin her shop and regret I hadn't bought any originals when they were available.

her favorite phrase was "be a light," to help bring awareness of cfsto others using our own unique talents and abilities (hers being her art). wecan all help to honor her memory by doing our best to be a light in any way wecan to make the world better for people with any kind of disability, not justcfs.

I’m too distraught right now to write any more, my apologies.

Teams that Amberlin Wu participated in:

Heartsy Help!

Createability Team Etsy
Invisible Diseases
SF Etsy
are the other teams she was on. My heart goes out to them and her family, friends and customers who were lucky enough to have something to remember her by.

I know Createability Team is doing a treasury tribute to her. I don't know what if anything her other teams have planned or what their needs are.

__________________________________________________________
News of memorial plans for amberlin, a.k.a. muddipuppy. I learned today that there will be a local memorial service here in mountain view on Sunday Nov, 6 at 2:30 p.m. at the community center. the local support group is planning on creating a memory book of people's stories and reflections to share with her family.

Breast Cancer Information

2011-10-02T21:21:00.000-04:00

Warning signs of breast cancer

If you notice any of the warning signs of breast cancer listed below, see your health care provider.

Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
Change in the size or shape of the breast
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
New pain in one spot that doesn’t go away

Adapted from National Cancer Institute [47-48], American Cancer Society [49] and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [50].

Link for LARGE PRINT Breast Self-Exam Brochure:
http://ww5.komen.org/uploadedFiles/Content_Binaries/LRGPrintBSA-Eng.pdf

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® recommends that you :

1. Know your risk

Talk to your family to learn about your family health history
Talk to your health care provider about your personal risk of breast cancer

2. Get screened

Ask your health care provider which screening tests are right for you if you are at higher risk
Have a mammogram every year starting at age 40 if you are at average risk
Have a clinical breast exam at least every 3 years starting at age 20, and every year starting at age 40

3. Know what is normal for you and see your health care provider if you notice any of these breast changes:

Lump, hard knot or thickening inside the breast or underarm area
Swelling, warmth, redness or darkening of the breast
Change in the size or shape of the breast
Dimpling or puckering of the skin
Itchy, scaly sore or rash on the nipple
Pulling in of your nipple or other parts of the breast
Nipple discharge that starts suddenly
New pain in one spot that doesn't go away

4. Make healthy lifestyle choices

Maintain a healthy weight
Add exercise into your routine
Limit alcohol intake
Limit postmenopausal hormone use
Breastfeed, if you can

October is Awareness Month for Breast Cancer and These Other Health-Related Issues

2011-10-02T21:13:00.000-04:00

October
1 - 31 Eye Injury Prevention Month American Academy of Ophthalmology P.O. Box 7424 San Francisco, CA 94120-7424 (415) 447-0213 (415) 561-8533 Faxeyemd@aao.org www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/injuries/in dex.cfm Materials available Contact: Georgia Alward	1 - 31 Home Eye Safety Month Prevent Blindness America 211 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1700 Chicago, IL 60606 (800) 331-2020 (312) 363-6001 (312) 363-6052 Faxinfo@preventblindness.org www.preventblindness.org Materials available Contact: PBA Consumer and Patient Hotline
1 - 31 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Board of Sponsors C1C-315 1800 Concord Pike Wilmington, DE 19850-5437nbcamquestions@yahoo.com www.nbcam.org Materials available Contact: None designated	1 - 31 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Office of Disability Employment Policy U.S. Department of Labor Frances Perkins Building, Room S-1303 200 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20210 (866) 633-7365 (202) 693-7880 (202) 693-7888 Fax (202) 693-7881 TTYwww.dol.gov/odep Materials available Contact: Carol Dunlap
1 - 31 National Down Syndrome Awareness Month National Down Syndrome Society 666 Broadway New York, NY 10012 (800) 221-4602 (212) 979-2873 Faxinfo@ndss.org www.ndss.org Materials available Contact: Educational Services	1 - 31 National Medical Librarians Month Medical Library Association 65 East Wacker Place, Suite 1900 Chicago, IL 60601 (312) 419-9094 x11 (312) 419-8950 Faxmlams@mlahq.org www.mlanet.org/resources/nml-month/index .html Materials available Contact: Tomi Gunn
1 - 31 National Physical Therapy Month American Physical Therapy Association 1111 North Fairfax Street Alexandria, VA 22314-1488 (800) 999-2782 (703) 684-2782 x3248 (703) 706-8578 Faxpublic-relations@apta.org www.moveforwardpt.com Materials available Contact: Public Relations Department	1 - 31 Stop America's Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Today American Medical Association Alliance 515 North State Street, 9th Floor Chicago, IL 60654 (312) 464-4470 amaa@ama-assn.org www.amaalliance.org Materials available Contact: None designated
1 - 31 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month First Candle/SIDS Alliance 1314 Bedford Avenue, Suite 210 Baltimore, MD 21208 (800) 221-7437 (410) 653-8226 (410) 653-8709 Faxinfo@firstcandle.org www.firstcandle.org Materials available Contact: None designated	2 - 8 Mental Illness Awareness Week National Alliance on Mental Illness 3803 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100 Arlington, VA 22203 (800) 950-6264 Helpline (703) 524-7600 (703) 524-9094 Faxinfo@nami.org www.nami.org Materials available Contact: None designated
3 - 7 Drive Safely Work Week Network of Employers for Traffic Safety 344 Maple Avenue West, #357 Vienna, VA 22180 (888) 221-0045 (703) 273-6005 (703) 273-7122 Faxnets@trafficsafety.org www.trafficsafety.org Materials available Contact: Liz Stevens	3 Child Health Day Maternal and Child Health Bureau Health Resources and Services Administration U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Parklawn Building, Room 1805 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857 (301) 443-2170 (301) 443-1797 Faxwww.mchb.hrsa.gov Contact: Cynthia Tibbs
5 Walk to School Day National Center for Safe Routes to School 730 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, Suite 300 / Campus Box 3430 Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3430 866-610-SRTS (610-7787)walk@walktoschool.org www.walktoschool-usa.org/index.cfm Materials available Contact: Susan Byszeski	6 National Depression Screening Day ^® Screening for Mental Health, Inc. One Washington Street, Suite 304 Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 (781) 239-0071 (781) 431-7447 Faxsmhinfo@mentalhealthscreening.org www.mentalhealthscreening.org/events/nat ional-depression-screening-day.aspx Materials available Contact: None designated
10 World Mental Health Day World Federation for Mental Health 12940 Harbor Drive, Suite 101 Woodbridge, VA 22192-2930 (703) 494-6515 (703) 494-6518 Faxwmhday@wfmh.com www.wfmh.org/00worldmentalhealthday.htm Materials available Contact: Deborah Maguire	12 - 20 Bone and Joint Decade National Action Week U.S. Bone and Joint Decade 6300 North River Road Rosemont, IL 60018 (847) 384-4010 (847) 384-4009 (847) 823-1822 Faxusbjd@usbjd.org www.usbjd.org Materials available Contact: Toby King
15 National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Latino Commission on AIDS 24 W 25th Street, 9th Floor New York, NY 10010 (212) 584-9315 (212) 202-3620 Faxmramirez@latinoaids.org www.nlaad.org/ Materials available Contact: Melissa Faith Ramirez	16 World Food Day U.S. National Committee for World Food Day 2175 K Street NW, Suite 500 Washington, DC 20437 (202) 653-2404 (202) 653-5760 Faxwww.worldfooddayusa.org Materials available Contact: None designated
22 International Stuttering Awareness Day Stuttering Foundation of America 1805 Moriah Woods Boulevard, #3 P.O. Box 11749 Memphis, TN 38111-0749 (800) 992-9392 (800) 967-7700 (901) 761-0484 Faxinfo@stutteringhelp.org www.stutteringhelp.org Materials available Contact: Jane Fraser	23 - 31 Red Ribbon Week National Family Partnership at Informed Families Education Center 2409 Coral Way, Suite 501 Miami, FL 33145 (800) 705-8997 (305) 856-4886 (305) 856-4815 Faxireyes@informedfamilies.org www.nfp.org Materials available Contact: Ileana Reyes
31 - November 6 National Drug Facts Week National Institute on Drug Abuse National Institutes of Health 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 5213 Bethesda, MD 20892-9561 (301) 443-1124 drugfacts@nida.nih.gov www.drugfactsweek.drugabuse.gov/ Materials available Contact: None designated

Are you Syndicated?

2011-09-18T21:01:00.000-04:00

Is your shop syndicated for Google Product Search? Do you know where to look to find out? Or why it matters? My shop was syndicated after being open about 2 months. To see if your shop is syndicated, click on YOUR ACCOUNT and look at the lower left of the screen for PROMOTE. If you are in the program, Syndication will show up as a category.

Check out this link on the Etsy forum all about syndication.

http://www.etsy.com/teams/7716/announcements/discuss/8940359/page/1/

Signup for Email of Team Discussions

2011-09-18T20:56:00.000-04:00

Did you know you can get an email summarizing the team discussion threads?

This in from the Etsy forum:

You can sign up for Team Discussion Digests simply by heading to your Team profile page on Etsy and clicking the "Subscribe to Team Digest" button on the left sidebar. Each Team has it's own discussion forum so you must sign up for each digest individually. To manage your subscriptions, go to Your Account, click on Settings in the left column and then visit the Emails tab. Scroll down and you will see the "Team Digests" box, where you'll have a list of Teams Digests that you subscribe to. Just check or uncheck the boxes for Digests you'd like to unsubscribe to, then click Save Settings and you're all set.

You can read more about this in NeonMorgan's blog post:www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/stay-in-touch-with-team-digest-emails/

September 2011

2011-09-18T16:46:00.000-04:00

SEPTEMBER IS AWARENESS MONTH FOR...

Leukemia Society Month
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
1311 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY 10605
(212) 573-8484
http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org
Prostate Cancer Awareness Week
Prostate Health Council
American Foundation for Urological Disease
1128 North Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201
(800) 822-5277
National Cholesterol Education Month
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center
PO Box 30105, Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
(301)251-1222 / (301)251-1223 (Fax)
National Pediculosis Prevention Month
National Pediculosis Association
PO Box 610189, Newton, MA 02161
(617) 449-NITS
National Sickle Cell Month
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
200 Corporate Pointe, Ste 49, Culver City, CA 90230-7633
(800) 421-8453 / (310) 216-6363
Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
The National Ovarian Cancer Coalition
PO Box 4472, Boca Raton, FL 33429-4472
(888) OVARIAN
National Rehabilitation Week
National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation
PO Box 71, Scranton, PA 18501-0071
(717) 341-4637 / (717) 341-4331 (Fax)
Hearing Aid Awareness Week
International Hearing Society
20361 Middlebelt Rd, Livonia, MI 48152
(800) 521-5247
National 5-A-Day Week
Cancer Information Service
NCI Office of Cancer Communications
Building 31, Room 10A16
9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892
(800) 4-CANCER / (301) 402-8594 (Fax)
National Reye's Syndrome Week
National Reye's Syndrome Foundation
PO Box 829, Bryan, OH 43506
(419) 636-2679 / (419) 636-3366 (Fax)
Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
National Childhood Cancer Foundation
http://www.nccf.org

August is Awareness Month for...

2011-08-08T14:17:00.000-04:00

August http://www.healthfinder.gov/nho/nho.asp#m8
1 - 31 Children's Eye Health and Safety Month Prevent Blindness America 211 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1700 Chicago, IL 60606 (800) 331-2020 (312) 363-6001 (312) 363-6052 Faxinfo@preventblindness.org www.preventblindness.org Materials available Contact: PBA Consumer and Patient Hotline	1 - 31 National Immunization Awareness Month National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 1600 Clifton Road NE, MS E-05 Atlanta, GA 30333 (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636) English/Spanish (888) 232-6348 (TTY) (404) 639-7394 Fax (877) 394-8747 International Travel Informationwww.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niam/default .htm Materials available Contact: None designated
1 - 7 World Breastfeeding Week World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action P. O. Box 4097 Schaumburg, IL 60168-4079 (847) 519-7730 (847) 969-0460 Faxwaba@waba.org www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org Materials available Contact: None designated

August

National Immunization Awareness Month
Immunizations: Women's Health Topics A-Z
National Immunization Awareness Month
Vaccines and Immunizations in Pregnant Women

August 1
National Girlfriends Day
Girlfriends' Health and Safety Tips
Women's Health e-Cards

August 1-7
World Breastfeeding Week
Pregnancy and Reproductive Health: Women's Health Topics A-Z
Breastfeeding

http://www.cdc.gov/women/observances/index.htm

July is Awareness Month for...

2011-07-12T17:57:00.001-04:00

Awareness Dates for July

Billy Mays Memorial Month
Lasagna Awareness Month
National Baked Beans Month
National Blueberries Month
National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month (NCCAPM)
National Ice Cream Month
National Culinary Arts Month
National Hot Dog Month
National Picnic Month
National Pickle Month
National Vehicle Theft Protection Month
National Banana Month
National Tickling Month
National Hat Month
National Awareness Month
Recreation and Parks Month

Day - Week:

July 1 - Doctor's Day,Bidhan Chandra Roy Birth Day
1st Saturday of July - International Day of Cooperatives (Recognized by the UN)
July 7 - International Cooperative Day
July 8 - Writer's Day
July 11 - World Population Day (Recognized by the UN)
July 18 - Mandela Day (Recognized by the UN)
July 16 - Disability (ADA) Awareness Day
July 31 - Orgasm Day

Last Friday of July - System Administrator Appreciation Day

U.S. National Health Observances - July:

Cord Blood Awareness Month - Parent's Guide to Cord Blood Foundation 23110 Georgia Avenue Brookeville, MD 20833 (301) 774-4915 info@parentsguidecordblood.org www.parentsguidecordblood.org - Materials available Contact: Dr. Frances Verter

International Group B Strep Awareness Month - Group B Strep International 11 El Dorado Court Pomona, CA 91766 (909) 620-7214 (909) 620-5557 Fax info@gbs-intl.org www.groupbstrepinternational.org - Materials available Contact: Marti Perhach

Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month - Arthritis Foundation 1330 West Peachtree Street, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30309 (800) 283-7800 (404) 872-0457 Fax help@arthritis.org www.arthritis.org/ja-alliance-main.php - Materials available Contact: Carol Galbreath

UV Safety Month - American Academy of Ophthalmology P.O. Box 7424 San Francisco, CA 94120-7424 (415) 447-0213 (415) 561-8533 Fax eyemd@aao.org www.aao.org/aaoesite/eyemd/uv.cfm - Contact: Georgia Alward

May is Awareness Month for ...

2011-05-03T23:19:00.000-04:00

May
1 - 31 Arthritis Awareness Month Arthritis Foundation 1330 West Peachtree Street, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30309 (800) 283-7800 (404) 872-0457 Faxhelp@arthritis.org www.arthritis.org Materials available Contact: Carol Galbreath	1 - 31 Better Hearing and Speech Month American Speech-Language-Hearing Association 2200 Research Boulevard, Mailstop 215 Rockville, MD 20850 (800) 498-2071 (301) 296-5700 (301) 296-8586 Faxbhsm@asha.org www.asha.org/bhsm/ Materials available Contact: None designated
1 - 31 Employee Health and Fitness Month National Association for Health and Fitness 65 Niagara Square, Room 607 Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 583-0521 (716) 851-4052 (716) 851-4309 Faxwellness@city-buffalo.org physicalfitness.org/nehf.html Materials available Contact: Philip Haberstro	1 - 31 Healthy Vision Month National Eye Institute National Institutes of Health 9 Memorial Drive, Building 9, Room B1E04 Bethesda, MD 20892-0900 (301) 496-5248 (301) 402-1065 Faxwww.healthyvision2010.nei.nih.gov/hvm Materials available Contact: Linda Huss
1 - 31 Hepatitis Awareness Month Hepatitis Foundation International 504 Blick Drive Silver Spring, MD 20904-2901 (800) 891-0707 (301) 622-4200 (301) 622-4702 Faxinfo@hepatitisfoundation.org www.hepatitisfoundation.org Materials available Contact: Thelma King Thiel	1 - 31 Lupus Awareness Month Lupus Foundation of America, Inc. 2000 L Street NW, Suite 710 Washington, DC 20036 (888) 385-8787 (202) 349-1156 Faxinfo@lupus.org www.lupus.org/newsite/pages/lupus-awaren ess-month.html Materials available Contact: Duane Peters
1 - 31 Mediterranean Diet Month Oldways and the Mediterranean Foods Alliance 266 Beacon Street Boston, MA 02116 (617) 421-5500 (617) 421-5511 Faxeross@oldwayspt.org www.mediterraneanmark.org/Resources.htm Materials available Contact: Erika Ross	1 - 31 Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month American Academy of Dermatology 930 East Woodfield Road Schaumburg, IL 60173 (888) 462-DERM (462-3376) (847) 330-0230 (847) 330-8907 Faxmediarelations@aad.org www.melanomamonday.org Materials available Contact: Kara McFarland
1 - 31 Mental Health Month Mental Health America 2000 North Beauregard Street, 6th Floor Alexandria, VA 22311 (800) 969-6642 (703) 684-5968 Faxrbridge@mentalhealthamerica.net www.mentalhealthamerica.net/go/may Materials available Contact: Raymond Bridge	1 - 31 National Celiac Disease Awareness Month American Celiac Disease Alliance 2504 Duxbury Place Alexandria, VA 22308 (703) 622-3331 info@americanceliac.org www.capwiz.com/celiac/home Materials available Contact: Andrea Levario
1 - 31 National High Blood Pressure Education Month National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Health Information Center P.O. Box 30105 Bethesda, MD 20824-0105 (301) 592-8573 (301) 592-8563 Faxnhlbiinfo@nhlbi.nih.gov www.nhlbi.nih.gov/new/press/mayhbpmo.htm Materials available Contact: Information Specialist	1 - 31 National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month National Osteoporosis Foundation 1150 17th Street NW, Suite 850 Washington, DC 20036 (800) 231-4222 (202) 223-2226 (202) 223-2237 Faxcommunications@nof.org www.nof.org Materials available Contact: Jill Ryan
1 - 31 National Physical Fitness and Sports Month President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports 1101 Wootton Parkway, #560 Rockville, MD 20852 (240) 276-9567 (240) 276-9860 Faxfitness@hhs.gov www.fitness.gov Materials available Contact: None designated	1 - 31 National Toxic Encephalopathy and Chemical Injury Awareness Month National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation P.O. Box 29194 Las Vegas, NV 89126Angel@ntef-usa.org www.ntef-usa.org Materials available Contact: Angel De Fazio
1 - 31 Older Americans Month U.S. Administration on Aging 1 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 619-0724 (202) 357-3555 aoainfo@aoa.gov www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Press_Room/Observanc es/2011/Older_Americans.aspx Materials available Contact: Carol Crecy	1 - 31 Ultraviolet Awareness Month Prevent Blindness America 211 West Wacker Drive, Suite 1700 Chicago, IL 60606 (800) 331-2020 (312) 363-6001 (312) 363-6052 Faxinfo@preventblindness.org www.preventblindness.org Materials available Contact: PBA Consumer and Patient Hotline
1 - 7 Children's Mental Health Awareness Week National Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health 9605 Medical Center Drive, Suite 280 Rockville, MD 20850 (240) 403-1901 (240) 403-1909 Faxffcmh@ffcmh.org www.ffcmh.org/2011/02/3762/ Materials available Contact: Sandra A. Spencer	1 - 7 North American Occupational Safety and Health Week American Society of Safety Engineers ASSE Public Relations Department 1800 East Oakton Street Des Plaines, IL 60018-2187 (847) 699-2929 (847) 768-3413 (847) 296-3769 Faxdhurns@asse.org www.asse.org/newsroom/naosh09/events.php Materials available Contact: Diane Hurns or Joanna Climer
2 Melanoma Monday American Academy of Dermatology 930 East Woodfield Road Schaumburg, IL 60173 (888) 462-DERM (462-3376) (847) 330-0230 (847) 330-8907 Faxmediarelations@aad.org www.aad.org Materials available Contact: Kara McFarland	7 Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Awareness Day CdLS-USA Foundation 302 West Main Street, #100 Avon, CT 06001 (800) 753-2357 (800) 223-8355 (860) 676-8166 (860) 676-8337 Faxoutreach@cdlsusa.org www.cdlsusa.org Materials available Contact: Marie Malloy
8 - 14 Food Allergy Awareness Week Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network 11781 Lee Jackson Highway, Suite 160 Fairfax, VA 22033 (800) 929-4040 (703) 691-3179 (703) 691-2713 Faxjroeder@foodallergy.org www.foodallergy.org/section/food-allergy -awareness-week1 Materials available Contact: Jennifer Roeder	8 - 14 National Alcohol- and Other Drug-Related Birth Defects Week National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. 244 East 58th Street, 4th Floor New York, NY 10022 (800) NCA-CALL (622-2255) (24-hour helpline) (212) 269-7797 (212) 269-7510 Faxpresident@ncadd.org www.ncadd.org Materials available Contact: President
8 - 14 National Women's Health Week Office on Women's Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue SW, Room 712E Washington, DC 20201 (202) 205-1952 (202) 690-7172 Faxwww.womenshealth.gov/whw Materials available Contact: Retta Terry	9 - 15 National Stuttering Awareness Week Stuttering Foundation of America 1805 Meriah Woods Boulevard, #3 P.O. Box 11749 Memphis, TN 38111-0749 (800) 992-9392 (800) 967-7700 (901) 761-0484 Faxinfo@stutteringhelp.org www.stutteringhelp.org Materials available Contact: Jane Fraser
9 National Women's Check-up Day Office on Women's Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 200 Independence Avenue SW, Room 712 E Washington, DC 20201 (202) 205-1952 (202) 690-7172 Faxwww.womenshealth.gov/whw Materials available Contact: Retta Terry	18 HIV Vaccine Awareness Day National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Division of AIDS Vaccine Research Program 6700-B Rockledge Drive, Room 4139 Bethesda, MD 20892 (301) 435-3732 (301) 402-1505 Faxniaiddaidsscib@niaid.nih.gov www.niaid.nih.gov/news/events/hvad/Pages /default.aspx Materials available Contact: NIAID SCIB
19 National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day The Banyan Tree Project Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center 730 Polk Street, 4th Floor San Francisco, CA 94109 (415) 292-3420 (415) 292-3404 Faxsapna@apiwellness.org www.banyantreeproject.org Materials available Contact: Sapna Mysoor	19 World Hepatitis Day National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable , rhessmiller@nvhr.org www.nvhr.org Materials available Contact: None designated
22 - 28 National Hurricane Awareness Week National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services 1325 East West Highway, Room 9462 Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 713-1677 x124 deborah.jones@noaa.gov www.nhc.noaa.gov Materials available Contact: Deborah Jones	23 - 29 Recreational Water Illness and Injury Prevention Week Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 4770 Buford Highway NE, MS F-22 Atlanta, GA 30341-3724 (770) 488-7787 (770) 488-7761 Faxmhlavsa@cdc.gov www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/rwi/rw i-prevention-week/ Materials available Contact: Michele Hlavsa
25 National Senior Health & Fitness Day^® Mature Market Resource Center 1850 West Winchester Road, #213 Libertyville, IL 60048 (800) 828-8225 info@fitnessday.com www.fitnessday.com Materials available Contact: Gary W. Ford	27 Heat Safety Awareness Day National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Office of Climate, Water, and Weather Services 1325 East West Highway, Room 13160 Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 713-1867 x135 jannie.g.ferrell@noaa.gov www.weather.gov/om/heat/index.shtml Materials available Contact: Jannie G. Ferrell
31 World No Tobacco Day Pan American Health Organization WHO Regional Office for the Americas 525 23rd Street NW Washington, DC 20037-2895 (202) 974-3890 www.who.int/tobacco/wntd/en Materials available Contact: None designated

Shriners Hospitals for Children - Shriners Hospital - An Environment Focused On Kids

2011-05-02T02:00:00.000-04:00

Shriners Hospitals for Children - Shriners Hospital - An Environment Focused On Kids

April is Autism Awareness Month

2011-04-07T18:53:00.000-04:00

Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a "spectrum disorder" that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause for autism, but increased awareness and funding can help families today.

In December 2009, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued their ADDM autism prevalence report. The report concluded that the prevalence of autism had risen to 1 in every 110 births in the United States and almost 1 in 70 boys. The issuance of this report caused a media uproar, but the news was not a surprise to the Autism Society or to the 1.5 million Americans living with the effects of autism spectrum disorder. Nonetheless, the spotlight shown on autism as a result of the prevalence increase opens opportunities for the nation to consider how to serve these families facing a lifetime of supports for their children.

Currently, the Autism Society estimates that the lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism ranges from $3.5 million to $5 million, and that the United States is facing almost $90 billion annually in costs for autism (this figure includes research, insurance costs and non-covered expenses, Medicaid waivers for autism, educational spending, housing, transportation, employment, in addition to related therapeutic services and caregiver costs).

Know the Signs: Early Identification Can Change Lives

Autism is treatable. Children do not "outgrow" autism, but studies show that early diagnosis and intervention lead to significantly improved outcomes.

Here are some signs to look for in the children in your life:

Lack of or delay in spoken language
Repetitive use of language and/or motor mannerisms (e.g., hand-flapping, twirling objects)
Little or no eye contact
Lack of interest in peer relationships
Lack of spontaneous or make-believe play
Persistent fixation on parts of objects

http://www.autism-society.org/about-us/national-autism-awareness-month/

This is a condition well known to many on the Createability Team.

Disability Etiquette

2011-03-28T16:28:00.000-04:00

Disability Etiquette

The rules of etiquette and good manners for dealing with people with disabilities are generally the same as the rules for good etiquette in society. These guidelines address specific issues which frequently arise for people with disabilities in terms of those issues related to disability and outline basic etiquette for working with people with different kinds of disabilities.

These should be regarded as general caveats of appropriate behavior. Since everyone is different, these guidelines only hold true for most individuals most of the time.

Ten Commandments of Etiquette for Communicating with People with Disabilities

When talking with a person with a disability, speak directly to that person rather than through a companion or sign language interpreter.
When introduced to a person with a disability, it is appropriate to offer to shake hands. People with limited hand use or who wear an artificial limb can usually shake hands. (Shaking hands with the left hand is an acceptable greeting.)
When meeting a person who is visually impaired, always identify yourself and others who may be with you. When conversing in a group, remember to identify the person to whom you are speaking.
If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen to or ask for instructions.
Treat adults as adults. Address people who have disabilities by their first names only when extending the same familiarity to all others. (Never patronize people who use wheelchairs by patting them on the head or shoulder.)
Leaning on or hanging on to a person's wheelchair is similar to leaning on hanging on to a person and is generally considered annoying. The chair is part of the personal body space of the person who uses it.
Listen attentively when you're talking with a person who has difficulty speaking. Be patient and wait for the person to finish, rather than correcting or speaking for the person. If necessary, ask short questions that require short answers, a nod or shake of the head. Never pretend to understand if you are having difficulty doing so. Instead, repeat what you have understood and allow the person to respond. The response will clue you in and guide your understanding.
When speaking with a person who uses a wheelchair or a person who uses crutches, place yourself at eye level in front of the person to facilitate the conversation.
To get the attention of a person who is deaf, tap the person on the shoulder or wave your hand. Look directly at the person and speak clearly, slowly, and expressively to determine if the person can read your lips. Not all people who are deaf can read lips. For those who do lip read, be sensitive to their needs by placing yourself so that you face the light source and keep hands, cigarettes and food away from your mouth when speaking.
Relax. Don't be embarrassed if you happen to use accepted, common expressions such as "See you later," or "Did you hear about that?" that seems to relate to a person's disability. Don't be afraid to ask questions when you're unsure of what to do.

Source: Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP)

Createability Team - Etsy Teams

2011-03-22T00:32:00.000-04:00

About this team

We are a group of artists and sellers either with disabilities ourselves, or caregivers of disabled people, who may use art and Etsy as "therapy" and our link to network with others. Create + Ability = Createability!

Our mission is to form partnerships for building our businesses, support each other, and encourage growth within the Etsy and artist community. We choose to take back control of the terms used around our various conditions, and hope to bring knowledge and awareness to those around us.

The team tag is "Createability Team"

Who can join?

Createability Team is a moderated team with the following requirements:

You must have some sort of disability or health problem that limits your daily activities in some way at least some of the time, or be a caregiver to such a person.

All team members must participate in at least one team activity at least every 3 months. Team activities currently include
a) the team chat thread
b) the team promotions thread
c) the team blog: http://www.createabilityteametsy.blogspot.com/
d) our team Flickr page http://www.flickr.com/groups/createability/
e) a treasury with at least a few teammates
f) blog about one or more teammates

If you are on vacation, medical leave, or have other reasons you cannot participate once in a 3-month span, please let the Captain, cindylouwho2, know.

New Page Featuring Etsy Minis Now on the Blog!

2011-03-06T23:34:00.000-05:00

With a team as large as Createability Team is getting (135 so far) the side bars cannot possibly show off all the Etsy Minis that have been graciously shared by our group to show off their shops without a tremendous amount of scrolling. So, they are getting their own PAGE.

What is an Etsy Mini? How do I make one?

Basics of Etsy Mini.

Etsy Mini is a tool you can use to display items from your Etsy shop or Favorite items on your blog, social network profile or personal web site. To build your own Etsy Mini, go to Your Account > Etsy Mini (at the bottom of the left sidebar). Here you can select different settings for how your Etsy Mini will appear and preview it. The Etsy Mini will show the most recently listed items from your shop. If you chose to show your Favorite items, the Etsy Mini will display those items which were hearted most recently. You cannot pick the order of items when creating an Etsy Mini.

Once you like how it looks, just copy the code and paste it into the HTML for your blog or other web site. The code is offered in two formats: javascript and Flash. You may need to check the help section of your blogging service or consult your web designer if you're not familiar with how to alter the code of your web site.

This blog uses the javascript version. Click on this screenshot photo above to enlarge it for an example of what the Etsy Mini Builder screen looks like and which radio buttons to select

Sellers may choose "Items From My shop" Buyers who do not have a shop may choose "Items From My Favorites".

If you are in Vacation Mode your Etsy Mini will show up blank.

Members - Createability Team - Etsy Teams

2011-03-04T17:04:00.000-05:00

Members - Createability Team - Etsy Teams

Congratulations to our team members that have had recent sales, have been featured in or have curated some awesome treasuries and blogs. Some of our team members have also been featured in magazines and have had great success with offline venues. Keep up the great work ladies and gentlemen.

Our team is unique from any other team on Etsy, with good reason. We the Createability Community.

Treasury Blitz

2011-02-05T20:27:00.000-05:00

This weekend, many of the willing participants of the Createability Team went all out for a Treasury Blitz

Check it out by clicking on all of the delightful treasuries you will see by following this link http://www.etsy.com/treasury/search/?search_query=Createability+Team&search_type=treasury

Happy New Year From The Createability Team

2011-01-02T17:45:00.000-05:00

Welcome to 2011! The good thing about celebrating a new year is the chance to make a fresh start and embrace all that the upcoming 364 days have to offer. Well technically 363, since today is actually January 2, 2011, but you know what I mean.

It's also a chance for our team members to welcome all the new members to the team and celebrate with them all the good things going on in their lives and businesses. Welcome back to all our returning members who are still wandering in and accepting the invites our Team Captain (she hates that term, captain) sent out when Etsy changed the way that teams look and operate onsite.

The Createability Team is a group of Etsy sellers with disabilities or who are caregivers to disabled people. The team exists to provide support and advice to each other, as well as opportunities to chat and promote! If you would like to join the team click here to find out how.

Happy Holidays: Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Other Celebrations!

2010-12-24T16:09:00.000-05:00

Wishing everyone the very happiest of whatever you celebrate this time of year! Lots of Love, light, peace and joy from The Createability team.

Createability Team Treasuries

2010-12-08T13:41:00.000-05:00

I hope you will click on this link
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/search/?search_query=Createability+Team&search_type=treasury

It is a search string that will take you to the list of treasuries that have been made by or featuring members of the Createability Team. We hope that you will click and comment on these treasuries to move them up the ranks and give them a shot of being seen on Etsy's Front Page.

Shop of the Weekend

2010-11-28T13:21:00.000-05:00

This time we get to know another member of the Createability Team, Carapace. She designed the pill bottle we now use as our team Logo!

Carapace's Shop Announcement

****I have 500 hearts! I think that deserves a party, don't you? Come over to my blog at www.caramakes.blogspot.com and join in my 500 hearts giveaway!***

Welcome, welcome! Come in to my cabinet of curiosities, home to wonders gathered from the four corners of my studio! See something you like? Take a closer look, maybe it will tell its story. All my pictures and pieces have stories,and all orders from my store ship with their descriptions.

Come back again soon- there's something new every week!

Have something in mind that's not in my shop? Drop me a convo, I adore custom orders!

Bio

All my work is handmade by me, though I reserve the right to borrow inspiration from anything that holds still long enough to be studied. I work from a smoke-free but cat-debted studio.

Proud member of:
Creatability:
http://www.createabilityteametsy.blogspot.com/
Team Etsy Texas:
http://etsytexascrafters.etsy.com
FAE team:
http://fantasyartofetsy.webng.com/
http://fantasyartofetsy.blogspot.com/
Etsy Bloggers:
http://etsybloggers.com
Etsy Friends:
http://etsyfriends.blogspot.com/

Those who want to know more about my mystic creation process, read on, and prepare to be amazed by the creative mi...

Born on August 3
Joined December 14, 2007

Favorite materials

Clay, paint, felt, and anything green

Createability Team Annual Thanksgiving Sale

2010-11-22T13:15:00.000-05:00

The team will have another annual sale over the US Thanksgiving weekend, from Thursday to Monday, November 25 to 29th.

Teammates are welcome to offer any sort of deal or sale they wish – a percentage off (some or all items), free shipping, BOGO, free gift, etc. You are also welcome to combine this sale with one from another team, or to offer it for a longer period of time.

We will again ask members to promote the sale however they can – blogs, twitter, Facebook, etc. We will run a promo thread again, & if Etsy runs any promotions for that weekend, we will submit teammates to be considered. Last year we got two teammates into the Etsy Finds email one day & both had several sales!

Here is a list of those team members participating in this year's event:
AilorsAttic.etsy.com 20% off everything
ajbcreations.etsy.com 40% off plus free gift
AStonesThrow.etsy.com Buy one, get one 50% off
beadedrelics.etsy.com 10% off everything
berrybluecreations.etsy.com 50% off select items
BirdhouseBlessings.etsy.com free marshmallowman ornament with $15 purchase
BlackMagicStudio.etsy.com Free shipping +10% off everything.
blacksheepdesigns.etsy.com 15% off everything
cabbingrough.etsy.com 50% off everything
Carapace.etsy.com prints for $7
cindylouwho2.etsy.com 10% off everything
crochetbymsa.etsy.com free shipping plus free gift
cuddlebugkids.etsy.com 10% off everything
Debsparkles.etsy.com 50% off select items
ElainaLouiseStudios.etsy.com 10% off + free shipping to US & Canada
EllesBelle.etsy.com 15% off everything
flamingolady.etsy.com Different sales through the shop
freshpikd4u.etsy.com 15% off everything use code HAPPYHOLIDAYS
GrannysKnits.etsy.com 50% off everything
HandPaintedPetals.etsy.com 10-20% off everything
Harvestmoonbyhand.etsy.com Free gift for every $10 spent (excluding shipping)
jeanetteranney.etsy.com Free shipping plus free gift
kittyanydots.etsy.com 20% off everything
MadeByMari.etsy.com Free Beaded Snowflake with any Purchase
May7th.etsy.com 25% off everything
merigreenleaf.etsy.com 15% off everything, excluding custom dolls.

mistyridge.etsy.com 10% off everything.
obachansflowers.etsy.com free shipping
PhotosByChipperfield.etsy.com BOGO sale, free shipping to US & Canada
RivetingArt.etsy.com 25% off everything; 40% off Black Friday only
Sunnyplainquilting.etsy.com 20% off everything
sunshinebycindy.etsy.com 10% off everything
For updates on the list of shops who are participating and for Createability members to get added to the list, please check out these Etsy Forum Threads:
http://www.etsy.com/teams/5732/createability-team/discuss/6676013/
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6670266

Interested in joining the Createability Team?
Here are the requirements: http://www.etsy.com/teams/5732/createability-team

Shop of the Weekend

2010-11-21T13:17:00.000-05:00

Let's get to know asianflair, another member of the Createability Team

asianflair's Shop Announcement

❖OUR SIMPLE SHIPPING POLICY❖
No additional cost for multiple items. Whichever item has the highest shipping cost, that will be the total shipping for your order.

NEW TO ETSY? There are some helpful links on our shop policies page:http://www.etsy.com/shop_policy.php?user_id=9628826

If you like rabbits, our other shop, Rabbittude at rabbittude.etsy.com, is all about bunnies!

Bio

Welcome To Asian Flair

❖-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------❖

Okay, we admit it, most of the time we are all about the bunny (see our shop rabbittude.etsy.com). Sometimes,though, we just need to change gears, sneak away from the rabbits and do something different.

Blaine Pullin is the computer guru, shipping manager, and resident green thumb. Rebecca Pullin is the artist, designer and communicator.

------------------------------------------------------------❖❖❖------------------------------------------------------------

From Rebecca On Artistic Influences -

❖ The culture and ...

Joined March 28, 2010

Favorite materials

Sterling silver, pewter, copper, pearls, natural gemstones,shell, Swarovski cyrstals, leather, beads, paper, printer,inks, fabric

ETSY PHOTOGRAPHY FOR THE AMATEUR

2010-11-18T13:15:00.000-05:00

This article was written by MadeByMari

Here's a trick for your any of your photos in order to get them uniform. It takes away a lot of steps of camera-fiddling! INSTEAD OF ZOOMING IN to get all the details, and then getting less-than-perfect results with your colors and focus, try this when trying to get a good set:

1. Set your camera to fairly HIGH MEGAPIXELS like in the 2000-3000 range if it goes that high

2. Leave the camera on “wide angle” or “fairly far away" shot.

3. Turn your flash ON if the lighting warrants it.

4. Now pull the camera back a ways. At least 18"

5. Sometimes I have it on "MACRO" (The little flower symbol) and it works well. It all depends on the size of what you’re taking.

6. The item will look fairly small in the viewing window.

7. Hold down the shutter/picture taking button half way til it focuses, then push it til it CLICKS. Be sure to be at a slight angle so you don’t get a flash glare.

8. Take at least twice as many pictures as you will need. Digital pictures are “cheap” to delete or retake!

And if you want a totally great closeup of a tiny object:

1. Put it on MACRO (the little flower symbol again)

2. DO NOT ZOOM IN AT ALL

3. Turn the flash on

4. Place the camera very close -- sometimes within a couple of inches

5. Angle so the flash doesn't wash it all out.

6. Focus and click.

After you have loaded them into the computer, fire up your photo editor:

1. Crop it so the picture of your item is centered how you want it and you still have some “white space” around it.

2. Note that your pixels will still be high so it will be sharp

3. Now "resize" to about 1000x1000. It’s OK to be somewhat close, like 1100 x 800 or even 1200 x 700 etc.

4. If you need to brighten the photo, do so in slow increments using your photo editor.

Your blacks should be black,

Your reds shouldn’t blur out too bright.

And your backgrounds should be sharp (unless you are intentionally blurring them.

Heck I use regular lights, fluorescent, halogen, and incandescent. I have a piece of white cardstocked taped behind my clothes dummy on the patio door. Low tech. My products aren’t really fancy, but I want them to show up. Seems like I’m achieving that according to my buyers!

Good luck and have fun.

Shop of the Weekend

2010-11-14T13:14:00.000-05:00

Createability Team brings you this weekend's featured Shop
WillowGlenDrive

WillowGlenDrive's Shop Announcement

Welcome, and thank you for stopping by.

Willow Glen Drive is pleased to offer you treasured vintage items, as well as unique handmade creations.

If you've never made a purchase on Etsy before, don't worry, here are step by step instructions. http://www.etsy.com/help_guide_checkout.php

You can view my customer feedback here
http://www.etsy.com/feedback_received.php?feedback_type=from_buyers

Member of Etsy Createability Team

Bio

I have been designing and creating original jewelry for over 20 years. Come take a peek at my online boutique!www.etsy.com/shop/ajbcreations

Female
Joined February 05, 2010

Favorite materials

anything, everything

Shop of the Weekend

2010-11-05T16:42:00.000-04:00

Welcome to Hells Sewing Circle!
Uncommon Originals and Museum Quality Prints.

August is Wonderful: FREE archival mats for all works on paper!

Proceeds go towards earning a degree in International Affairs

Letter to the Team From Our Team Leader

2010-11-01T01:02:00.000-04:00

Hello Createability Team! It has been 2 years since our fabulous team began, so it seemed like a good time to update everyone on what has been going on.

1) GROUPS In the near future, Etsy will be moving the Team pages to the new Groups function - see this article:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/etsy-news/announcing-etsy-groups-in-beta-10201/
It seems easy to use, & we can tag the team page so that people will be able to search through teams for ones that suit them. That will also be the eventual location of the team threads, which will make it easier for members to find us every month.

When our team is finally invited, you will receive an email from Etsy (although it will also have my name in it), asking you to join our group. If you do not join the group at that time, you are by default no longer part of the team.

While Etsy teams are in this transition phase, I am unable to add new member names to our old team page:
http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=453
If you would like to see a full list of current teammates, please check out the right side of the Createability blog:
http://www.createabilityteametsy.blogspot.com/

2) TEAM SALE The team will have another annual sale over the US Thanksgiving weekend, from Thursday to Monday, November 25 to 29th. Teammates are welcome to offer any sort of deal or sale they wish – a percentage off (some or all items), free shipping, BOGO, free gift, etc. You are also welcome to combine this sale with one from another team, or to offer it for a longer period of time. We will again ask members to promote the sale however they can – blogs, twitter, Facebook, etc. We will run a promo thread again, & if Etsy runs any promotions for that weekend, we will submit teammates to be considered. Last year we got two teammates into the Etsy Finds email one day & both had several sales!

IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SALE , please contact me by Monday November 22 with the type of sale you will offer. We will need a few days to get the blog post prepared

3) TEAM PARTICIPATION We have had a discussion in the team thread in the forum, and people have agreed that the team needs a participation rule. DON’T WORRY – it will not be as onerous as many teams are. After some discussion among active members, I have decided that every teammate needs to participate at least once every 3 months, unless you are on leave, on vacation time, or otherwise are unable to participate & have let me know that you still want to be on the team. We understand that not everyone can keep up with the team chat thread, or even check in once a week, so we are not asking for that. Although some people want a one-month rule, I know from my convos with you that that would be too difficult for some members

WAYS to PARTICIPATE – choose at least one every 3 months

a) post in the team chat thread http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6670266
b) post in the team promotions thread http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6670270
c) prepare a post for the team blog: http://www.createabilityteametsy.blogspot.com/ please submit that to berrybluecreations.etsy.com
d) post items to our team Flickr page http://www.flickr.com/groups/createability/
e) make a treasury with at least a few teammates (convo it to me so I know, or post in a thread)
f) blog about one or more teammates (convo it to me so I know, or post in a thread)
g) YOUR IDEA HERE – we would love to have more team activities.

IF YOU NO LONGER WISH TO BE ON THE CREATEABILITY TEAM, please contact me via email or convo at cindylouwho2.etsy.com

IF YOU WISH TO STAY ON THE TEAM, please participate in the next 3 months. Or contact me & let me know that you cannot participate right now. If your shop is in vacation mode, I will not remove you from the team.

I think that is all for now – I will email out a final list for the team sale on the day it starts, & will include the promotions thread link.

Wishing everyone the best for the remainder of 2010

Cindy

Shop of the Weekend

2010-10-29T16:42:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my shop and thank you for visiting!

Obachan's Flowers are hair accessories and brooch pins made from different fabrics (like cotton, linen, silk and polyesters) using fabric-folding techniques. These accessories are inspired by kanzashi used in traditional Japanese hairstyles. If you want to learn more about them, you can do that here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanzashi

All of my items are made and kept in a smoke-free, but dog-friendly home. I do prevent the dogs from playing around and with my items.

******TRADE FRIENDLY******

Want something, but don't see it listed? Convo me and we can work something out!

Have any suggestions, comments, or questions? Feel free to contact me!

**** Member of The Etsy Dlisters ******
**** Member of Kansas Etsy Team ******
**** Member of The Createability Team *

Shop of the Weekend

2010-10-22T16:40:00.000-04:00

Birdhouses that are handcrafted and hand painted with joy. They are built to be functional but many of our customers say they are too pretty to put outside. They have at least six coats of clear coat on them so that they can be put out in the elements.

These are UNIQUE, ONE-OF-A-KIND, birdhouses which make excellent gifts. We will personalize upon request. If there is something special you want painted on a birdhouse, feel free to contact me.

We now offer wholesale prices on purchases of three or more large birdhouses (not the ornamental size), please convo me for details.

Here is our blogspot in case you are interested in following:

http://birdhouseblessings.blogspot.com/

You can also follow us on twitter and kaboodle.

We also have more product on Birdhouseblessings.artfire.com

Shop of the Weekend

2010-10-15T16:37:00.000-04:00

Hello! Welcome to my shop!
I make a lot of custom bridal and bridesmaid's jewelry so click on that section to the right. I also have the exclusive line of Art Is Healthy t shirts.

New to Etsy? Here's a quick guide to the checkout process
http://www.etsy.com/help_guide_checkout.php

Here you'll find handmade artisan jewelry designed and made by me with freshwater pearls, gemstones, and glass. In addition I make unique and original Art is Healthy t shirts and onesies.
All Art is Healthy T shirts are 100% cotton and hand painted. The grey shirts are made by Alternative Apparel and the black ones are by Anvil. Men's sizes in black are also available and will be listed soon. Art is Healthy is a Registered Trademark of Juliana's Creations.
I also opened a beadshop on etsy for my destash, it is at www.juliesbeadshop.etsy.com and the title of the store is The Bead Orphanage!

Keep up to date with what's going on at Juliana's Creations; FREE EARRINGS WITH YOUR ORDER IF YOU BECOME A FAN ON FACEBOOK!! Just be sure to tell me with a note when you check out.(cut and paste this link below, just search Juliana's Creations in the Facebook search box.)

Convo me with jewelry or t shirt questions.

Createability Team Etsy Shop of The Weekend

2010-10-08T16:33:00.000-04:00

To rejuvenate a feature and change it up a bit; we are going to feature a shop from the pool of active Etsy Minis on the blog. Each weekend until we run through the Etsy Minis That are viewable on the blog. So please, visit the featured shop of the weekend and enjoy your shopping trip. To Kick things off we'll visit http://libertyimages.etsy.com

Realist, optimistic fine art photography featuring classic cars, vintage Americana, nature, architecture, retro memories, and more. My goal is to capture and share the character of my beloved America through my original photographs, hence (in part) the name Liberty Images.

An independent, self-taught photographer, I love travelling around my town, my state, and my country taking pictures so I may share what I see with others. If I can find an excuse to leave the country for tropical climes to photograph, I do that as well! Winters are long and cold here. :) When I'm not shooting, I'm working on the photos in my studio with Granny Smith-apple green walls and striped curtains.

See an item you think your favourite car guy or art fan will love? Just use the "Email" link on the right-hand side of the screen and you can email a photo to them quickly and easily.

Did you know you can follow my shop via RSS? Check it out! Be among the first to know when there's a new print in the store:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LibertyImages/rss

If you're looking for any photo in another size, more likely than not, it's available. Just send me a convo and I'll reply quickly. Enjoy your shopping, and if you have any questions, simply send a convo.

✧ ✧ ✧ As seen in Pennsylvania magazine. ✧ ✧ ✧

Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zachsdame
Twitter: http://twitter.com/LibertyImages

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please keep in mind that images shown here are at a dramatically lower resolution than they are actually printed at. Your print will be crystal-clear and beautifully sharp, and is carefully packaged between foam core and tissue paper prior to being packaged in a Tyvek envelope to prevent damage in the mail.

New Group Feature Coming to Etsy and New Look Coming for the Team

2010-09-21T16:34:00.000-04:00

The images are works in progress of what some of our team members are working on for the new banner= logo for the team's group page that will be in effect in the hopefully near future.

To find out more on this new feature, please read this article found in Etsy's blog called The Storque
http://www.etsy.com/storque/etsy-news/announcing-etsy-groups-in-beta-10201/

We really need input from the team about the new look of the banner and avatar. Feedback is greatly appreciated. You can leave comments here or in the team forum. Thank you, Createability Team Blog Committee

Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week

2010-09-19T01:12:00.000-04:00

Some of the members of The Createability Team are already aware of Mitochondrial Disease. If you are not aware of this disease, you can find out more information by clicking on this link

http://www.umdf.org/site/c.otJVJ7MMIqE/b.5472191/k.BDB0/Home.htm

What is Mitochondrial Disease
Mitochondrial diseases result from failures of the mitochondria, specialized compartments present in every cell of the body except red blood cells. Mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90% of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth. When they fail, less and less energy is generated within the cell. Cell injury and even cell death follow. If this process is repeated throughout the body, whole systems begin to fail, and the life of the person in whom this is happening is severely compromised. The disease primarily affects children, but adult onset is becoming more and more common.
Diseases of the mitochondria appear to cause the most damage to cells of the brain, heart, liver, skeletal muscles, kidney and the endocrine and respiratory systems.
Depending on which cells are affected, symptoms may include loss of motor control, muscle weakness and pain, gastro-intestinal disorders and swallowing difficulties, poor growth, cardiac disease, liver disease, diabetes, respiratory complications, seizures, visual/hearing problems, lactic acidosis, developmental delays and susceptibility to infection.
Energy Factories and Much More
The conventional teaching in biology and medicine is that mitochondria function only as "energy factories" for the cell. This over-simplification is a mistake which has slowed our progress toward understanding the biology underlying mitochondrial disease. It takes about 3000 genes to make a mitochondrion. Mitochondrial DNA encodes just 37 of these genes; the remaining genes are encoded in the cell nucleus and the resultant proteins are transported to the mitochondria. Only about 3% of the genes necessary to make a mitochondrion (100 of the 3000) are allocated for making ATP. More than 95% (2900 of 3000) are involved with other functions tied to the specialized duties of the differentiated cell in which it resides. These duties change as we develop from embryo to adult, and our tissues grow, mature, and adapt to the postnatal environment. These other, non-ATP-related functions are intimately involved with most of the major metabolic pathways used by a cell to build, break down, and recycle its molecular building blocks. Cells cannot even make the RNA and DNA they need to grow and function with out mitochondria. The building blocks of RNA and DNA are purines and pyrimidines. Mitochondria contain the rate-limiting enzymes for pyrimidine biosynthesis (dihydroorotate dehydrogenase) and home synthesis (d-amino levulinic acid synthetase) required to make hemoglobin. In the liver, mitochondria are specialized to detoxify ammonia in the urea cycle. Mitochondria are also required for cholesterol metabolism, for estrogen and testosterone synthesis, for neurotransmitter metabolism, and for free radical production and detoxification. They do all this in addition to breaking down (oxidizing) the fat, protein, and carbohydrates we eat and drink.
Defining Mitochondrial Disease
Mitochondrial diseases are the result of either inherited or spontaneous mutations in mtDNA or nDNA which lead to altered functions of the proteins or RNA molecules that normally reside in mitochondria. Problems with mitochondrial function, however, may only affect certain tissues as a result of factors occurring during development and growth that we do not yet understand. Even when tissue-specific isoforms of mitochondrial proteins are considered, it is difficult to explain the variable patterns of affected organ systems in the mitochondrial disease syndromes seen clinically.
Genocopies of Mitochondrial Disease
Because mitochondria perform so many different functions in different tissues, there are literally hundreds of different mitochondrial diseases. Each disorder produces a spectrum of abnormalities that can be confusing to both patients and physicians in early stages of diagnosis. Because of the complex interplay between the hundreds of genes and cells that must cooperate to keep our metabolic machinery running smoothly, it is a hallmark of mitochondrial diseases that identical mtDNA mutations may not produce identical diseases. Genocopies are diseases that are caused by the same mutation but which may not look the same clinically.
Phenocopies of Mitochondrial Disease
The converse is also true: different mutations in mtDNA and nDNA can lead to the same diseases. In genetics, these are known as phenocopies. A good example is Leigh syndrome, which can be caused by about a dozen different gene defects. Leigh syndrome, originally a neuropathological description of the brain of one affected child, was described by Denis Leigh, the distinguished British physician, in 1951. It is characterized by bilaterally symmetrical MRI abnormalities in the brain stem, cerebellum, and basal ganglia, and often accompanied by elevated lactic acid levels in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid. Leigh syndrome may be caused by the NARP mutation, the MERRF mutation, complex I deficiency, cytochrome oxidase (COX) deficiency, pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) deficiency, and other unmapped DNA changes. Not all children with these DNA abnormalities will go on to develop Leigh syndrome, however.
Mitochondrial diseases are even more complex in adults because detectable changes in mtDNA occur as we age and, conversely, the aging process itself may result from deteriorating mitochondrial function. There is a broad spectrum of metabolic, inherited and acquired disorders in adults in which abnormal mitochondrial function has been postulated or demonstrated.
Adapted/selected sections from Robert Naviaux's "Overview, the Spectrum of Mitochondrial Disease" in the Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disorders, Primary Care Physician's Guide, second edition.

Check out Treasuries dedicate to Mitochondrial Disease Awareness

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c9589c29f986d9169a15e54/mitochondrial-disease-awareness-week

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c9824a13b088eef2f9d7228/mitochondrial-disease-awareness-week-vol

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c96f08a26068eef341eb7f5/mitochondrial-disease-awareness-week-vol?index=1

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c99451f94f06d9169509dff/mitochondrial-disease-awareness-week-v-4

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c9abf8788108eefbe94ec2f/mitochondrial-disease-awareness-week-v-5

In addition, if you want to ask questions and join the discussion about Mito Awareness you don't want to miss this forum thread

http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?page=1&thread_id=6631281

September is here!

2010-09-05T16:43:00.000-04:00

Welcome to September! School is back in session, it's football season, Autumn is right around the corner for some and Spring is budding in other parts of the world. Createability Team is welcoming many new members.

The Createability Team is a group of Etsy sellers with disabilities or who are caregivers to disabled people. The team exists to provide support and advice to each other, as well as opportunities to chat and promote!

Find us all by searching for the team tag "Createability Team"

More information about the team here:
http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=453

our blog, maintained by berrybluecreations.etsy.com and http://www.etsy.com/shop/flamingolady
http://www.createabilityteametsy.blogspot.com/

Flickr group, run by admin cuddlebugkids.etsy.com
http://www.flickr.com/groups/createability/

To join the team, please contact cindylouwho2 at cindylouwho2.etsy.com

The September Forum Thread is here
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6616611

old thread was here, if you need to catch up!
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6589698

Welcome to August

2010-08-01T02:01:00.000-04:00

The calender says that it is August. For those going back to school or have kids going back to school it means that summer is almost over. We sincerely hope everyone is enjoying themselves and staying happy and healthy.
Remember to check out the tag "createability team" when shopping on Etsy. By doing so, you will find beautiful, useful, whimsical and practical items in a variety of price points.
The Createability Team is a group of Etsy sellers with disabilities or who are caregivers to disabled people. The team exists to provide support and advice to each other, as well as opportunities to chat and promote!

Find us all by searching for the team tag "Createability Team"

More information about the team here:
http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=453

our blog, maintained by berrybluecreations.etsy.com
http://www.createabilityteametsy.blogspot.com/

Flickr group, run by admin cuddlebugkids.etsy.com
http://www.flickr.com/groups/createability/

To join the team, please contact cindylouwho2.etsy.com

The July Etsy Forum Thread is here
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6563193

New Series of Team Treasuries

2010-07-16T20:22:00.000-04:00

I wanted to treat my Createability Teammates, by starting a series of Treasuries So that everyone on the team can have a bit more light shone on them. Here is the first installment:
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c40f6b5c9fe8eefacea5a18/createability-team-etsy-in-alphabetical

Here is the second installment:

Createability Team Etsy In Alphabetical Order C-E

Christmas In July Createability Style

2010-07-13T00:11:00.000-04:00

It has been a long standing tradition in retail to celebrate Christmas in July. It is a way to offer those really early shoppers amazing items and more than reasonable prices.

Here is a list of Createability Team Members offering shoppers incredible items and great bargains.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LovejoyCreations
http://www.etsy.com/shop/webescrapbooking
http://www.etsy.com/shop/keenaskreations
http://www.etsy.com/shop/berrybluecreations

To find more items by The Createability Team, search for the tag "Createability Team"
To find more great items and sweet deals search for the tags, "christmasinjuly" and "cij"

July is for Celebrating!

2010-07-01T19:56:00.000-04:00

Many of the members of Createability Team Etsy are in full party mode. Happy Canada Day! Happy Independence Day! And...Happy Whatever Day it is you are celebrating this month. Check the Createability Team Etsy list on the left for updates in our Membership Roster. Check out out our lists and links as well for useful information for all kinds of medical conditions that we are compiling and links to blogs and other social networking opportunities that our Members are enjoying.

NOTE TO MEMBERS AND FOLLOWERS: PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT IF YOU CHOOSE TO SO WE KNOW YOU STOPPED BY.

Due to recent comments left with back links to a foreign country porn site, all comments are now being moderated.

Page Changes on the Blog!

2010-06-17T12:28:00.000-04:00

Dear Createability Team Members,

Pages have been updated and you will see a note at the end of the posts on them to add pertinent links to the comment area on those pages. I did this in order to keep the pages updated.

So please check over all the pages found on this blog and make sure all links are accurate and add yours to the comment areas where APPROPRIATE!

Happy Sewing Machine Day!!

2010-06-13T22:40:00.001-04:00

Welcome to June

2010-06-01T23:42:00.000-04:00

So many good things happening amongst our team members Some have recently been featured on the Front Page of Etsy. Click Here to see past front page features. and our member, SSWOODCRAFT is in a TV interview http://www1.krtv.com/news/etsy-enables-great-falls-crafters-to-sell-online/

Congrats to all on so many good things happening!

Featured Artist.

2010-05-26T22:47:00.000-04:00

The Featured Artist page is temporarily down. We're waiting for our next interview to be returned. Will let everyone know when we start featuring the Artists of Createability Team again.

Thank you for voting

2010-04-30T15:25:00.000-04:00

You may have noticed that the poll is gone, Thank you to everyone who voted. Here are the results:
Here are the results
Votes so far: 22

Artist Spotlight 6 votes 27%
Create Ability Spotlight 5 votes 22%
Featured Artist 8 votes 36%
Meet the Members 3 votes 13%

Looks like Featured Artist is the winner... Will change the page when the current feature has finished its run :)

Working Overtime: GrannysKnits

2010-04-27T17:54:00.000-04:00

Working Overtime: GrannysKnits
http://www.etsy.com/storque/handmade-life/working-overtime-grannysknits-8004/

Congratulations on being featured in the Storque!

Member Polling

2010-04-21T13:12:00.000-04:00

The Createability Team Member of the Week Page will be changed to a two week long feature and will be renamed. Choose the name of the page by voting in the poll shown on the left. Poll closes on 4/30/10 at 12:00 PM.

April 19-25 Announcements

2010-04-19T14:42:00.000-04:00

As always on Mondays, we have a new Team Member of the Week interview to share. Last week also rolled out some changes on Etsy. For instance, changes to URLS and the new Treasury East. We'll be keeping a list of this type of treasuries soon. If you have any questions or comments about the blog or the pages in the blog, please ask. Our blog authors are berrybluecreations, cherylspurplecow/myextrabeads, flamingolady, and opheliasapathocary

New Week, New Interview, New Blog Authors

2010-04-12T03:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the Week of April 12 - 18, 2010. Lots of excitement going around the Createability Team. We've got new members to welcome. A new interview to read, so grab a snack and a drink before you go to the http://createabilityteametsy.blogspot.com/p/createability-member-of-week.html page. One of our members: Annabelle made it to the Front Page of Etsy last week, so congratulations, Annabelle, way to go! Welcome also our newest blog Authors who have offered to help. Dee aka flamingolady on Etsy and Cheryl aka cherylspurplecow and MyExtraBeads, Thank you ladies. We appreciate the help.

Announcing

2010-04-05T14:27:00.001-04:00

I hope everyone has a great week! 2 Announcements about the blog:
First, the Interview with HandPaintedPetals is now live
http://createabilityteametsy.blogspot.com/p/createability-member-of-week.html

Second, I'm adding a Page for Events, Promotions and Shop Specials. So I'll need links for Giveaways, Treasuries and Other Goodies.

Updated List of Members

2010-04-01T19:55:00.000-04:00

It's a new month and we have a whole bunch of new members to welcome.
So please check the Members Page to see ALL of our members and their shop links.

If you see any mistakes, please let us know.
Createability Team Etsy wishes Everyone a Happy Easter, Passover, and a great Month.

Createability Team Member of the Week

2010-03-22T14:51:00.000-04:00

March marked the beginning of a new series on the blog. The Createability Team Member of the Week. It is located on its own page with that title.
The page is changed each week. Previous features are saved on a word document. If you would like a copy, just let me know.

Here is a list of team members who have been featured

hippiescreations
sierrapelonacrochet
crochetbymsa
ajbcreations

Current feature is DebSparkles

Createability Team Forum Threads on Etsy.com

2010-03-01T14:04:00.000-05:00

The Createability Team is a group of Etsy sellers with disabilities or who are caregivers to disabled people. The team exists to provide support and advice to each other, as well as opportunities to chat and promote! Our forum threads change every month. Thanks to our team leader, www.cindylouwho2.etsy.com

Find us all by searching for the team tag "Createability Team"

More information about the team here:
http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=453

our blog, maintained by berrybluecreations.etsy.com
http://www.createabilityteametsy.blogspot.com/

Flickr group:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/createability/

To join the team, please contact ME at cindylouwho2.etsy.com

old thread was here, if you need to catch up!
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6423404
our new promo thread:
http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=6452201

Membership Update

2010-02-21T11:55:00.000-05:00

To see the membership update please see the Membership Page. It is located above this post along with the list of other recently added and edited pages.

Pillowcases to Help Haiti

2010-02-17T18:44:00.000-05:00

The Createability team has been asked to join with the Quiltsy Team and countless other Etsy folks and teams in a challenge to make pillow cases for Haiti. If you haven't seen the posts in the Etsy Forums, Here's the challenge in a nutshell:

Home > Community > Forums > Business Topics > Pillowcases to Help Haiti

Business Topics

19 posts

Piilowcases to Help Haiti

berrybluecreations says:

I think the Etsy Community at large could rock this challenge
Here are the details:

Whimbrella says: Ok, Quiltsy -- Here you go!

* * * *

The Haitian earthquake hit close to home in Quiltsyland. Just a couple days before the earthquake, Quiltsy member Ellen of bearcreekcreations had seen her daughter Joanna off at the airport. Joanna returned from Christmas break to her job in Port au Prince, Haiti where she works as a mid-wife in a charitable women’s clinic. After receiving word of Joanna’s safety, Ellen swung into action to help. She quickly set up a Facebook group to support the Haitian group’s efforts and facilitate crucial information exchange.

Quiltsy members who joined Ellen’s Facebook group were able to follow the day-to-day trials and successes as the woman’s clinic became more of a MASH unit. Flights of doctors and supplies arrived to treat scores of wounded Haitians, while families of patients and workers camped around outside. The accounts, photos and uploaded video gave a better idea of the real story than any television news report.

About the same time, Quiltsy members discussed participating in the National Million Pillowcase Challenge sponsored by American Patchwork & Quilting magazine’s AllPeopleQuilt.com, a Better Homes & Garden company. The year-long challenge to quilters and sewers is to make and donate one million pillowcases to local charities.

Since the Quiltsy Team is an international and online group, there was a problem participating as a group in the challenge. Where would the pillowcases be sent? What is a local charity when your members are flung all over the globe?

*lightbulb moment* Joanna’s group in Haiti needs pillowcases for all the patients and people living with them! Many emails later, arrangements have been made to get the pillowcases to the group in Haiti and Quiltsy members are busy busting their fabric stashes to make pillowcases.

Quiltsy would like to open up this challenge to anyone else desiring to send a pillowcase along with theirs.

There are many easy (and free) pillowcase patterns available on the internet. As expected, AllPeopleQuilt.com has several available to download. http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/index.html There are no requirements other than standard size and cotton fabric.

Deadline to get your pillowcase included in this dispatch to Haiti is March 9th. That is about 3 weeks in which to make some pillowcases. Please contact whimbrella for mailing details if you want to participate.

* * * *

Here’s my thought, if a few teams joined forces in this, it would be so awesome. So talk to your other teams about it and give whimbrella a hand with coordinating it.
For more info on the pillowcase challenge click here
http://teamquiltsy.blogspot.com/2010/02/quiltsys-pillowcase-challengehaiti.html

If you would like to participate in this challenge contact me, berrybluecreations or Whimbrella
to get on the mailing list. You can also comment here so I can contact you later to get you on the list. Get sewing.. we've got 3 weeks and if everyone who signs up will make 2 or 3 pillow cases, we'll have a lot done in a short time.

Happy Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T13:35:00.000-05:00

Wishing you a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Spotlight on a Few Members and a call for more Etsy Minis

2010-02-03T01:37:00.000-05:00

Hey Createability Team, We really need to update the etsy Minis for our blog. This helps us show off our shops and skills.
Here are the ones I have:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Carapace
http://www.etsy.com/shop/OneFoldDesigns
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sierrapelonacrochet
http://www.etsy.com/shop/berrybluecreations
http://www.etsy.com/shop/crochetbymsa
http://www.etsy.com/shop/flamingolady

http://www.etsy.com/shop/cindylouwho2
http://www.etsy.com/shop/PenguinsPieces
http://www.etsy.com/shop/wiresnpliers
http://www.etsy.com/shop/hippiescreations
http://www.etsy.com/shop/merigreenleaf
http://etsy.com/shop/cherylspurplecow
http://etsy.com/shop/MyExtraBeads
http://etsy.com/shop/GenuineKnits
http://etsy.com/shop/webescrapbooking
http://etsy.com/shop/BirdhouseBlessings
http://www.etsy.com/shop/soapwallakitchen
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Debsparkles

It is very easy to make an etsy mini, just follow the directions on the Etsy Mini Generator page
http://www.etsy.com/mini_generator.php
If you are a Createability Team Member and would like for me to post your Etsy Mini on the blog on the side bar, then please send me the code you got from the generator 2 rows 2 columns set at thumbnail size please. Thank you, berrybluecreations, Createability Team Blogger.

Membership Update

2010-02-01T14:00:00.000-05:00

cindylouwho2 says:

Team list updated Jan 30 2010

(to my knowledge this is the most accurate list for treasury-making et al - please let me know if there are any errors)

akuadesigns.etsy.com/

archaicdesign.etsy.com/

artfarmpaperworks.etsy.com

beaddance.etsy.com/

beaddancejewelry.etsy.com

beads2string.etsy.com/

berrybluecreations.etsy.com/

BirdhouseBlessings.etsy.com

blacksheepbeads.etsy.com

Blacksheepdesigns.etsy.com

BNEjewelry.etsy.com/

Carapace.etsy.com/

Catmacdesigns.etsy.com

Cavebaby.etsy.com

cindylouwho2.etsy.com/

classicsredone.etsy.com

clevergirl.etsy.com/

creationsbynoramarie.etsy.com

crochetbymsa.etsy.com/

cuddlebugkids.etsy.com

dementedsnowflake.etsy.com

designsbynoramarie.etsy.com

digitaldownload.etsy.com

digitalstream.etsy.com

divinecanine.etsy.com

doodlebirdie.etsy.com

ellagy.etsy.com

ellesbelle.etsy.com/

emmsgems.etsy.com

ferdworthi.etsy.com

flamingolady.etsy.com/

FibroFibers.etsy.com

Gecko1265.etsy.com

GenuineKnits.etsy.com

glory2727.etsy.com/

GrannysKnits.etsy.com

Gwendolynsdesign.etsy.com

handmadebyannabelle.etsy.com/

HandPaintedPetals.etsy.com

HappyHaven.etsy.com/

Harvestmoonbyhand.etsy.com

HellsSewingCircle.etsy.com

hippiescreations.etsy.com

ImagineMDD.etsy.com

indigocomet.etsy.com

Ionbeads.etsy.com/

jeanetteranney.etsy.com/

jenhintz.etsy.com/

jewelles.etsy.com/

Jonarablu.etsy.com/

julianascreations.etsy.com

Juliesbeadshop.etsy.com

keenaskreations.etsy.com/

kimforbeads.etsy.com

kittyanydots.etsy.com/

kittyd.etsy.com/

kristinamyerscrafts.etsy.com

LillianOlive.etsy.com

littlebirdhousestore.etsy.com/

LovejoyCreations.etsy.com

madameteasley.etsy.com

MadebyMari.etsy.com/

Maplecreeksoap.etsy.com

Mattscraftywife.etsy.com/

merigreenleaf.etsy.com

Mgcuozzo.etsy.com

Mistyridge.etsy.com/

Muddipuppy.etsy.com/

myfavoriteshop.etsy.com/

MyHeartFashion.etsy.com

Mylittle.etsy.com

MyMimsies.etsy.com

MysteryPetz.etsy.com

naturellechic.etsy.com

NeoMetroNeckties.etsy.com

Noelldesiree.etsy.com

NotSoShabbyChic.etsy.com

OneFoldDesigns.etsy.com/

opheliasapothecary.etsy.com/

opheliasarmoire.etsy.com

ottawavalleyfiberart.etsy.com

penelopedesign.etsy.com/

penguinspieces.etsy.com/

priscillahoekstra.etsy.com

PTKDesigns.etsy.com

RainbowGraphics.etsy.com

Rainbowsetc.etsy.com

Rosietreats.etsy.com

sassysoapsnsuch.etsy.com/

SherWear.etsy.com

shopenvy.etsy.com/

sierrapelonacrochet.etsy.com/

Soapwallakitchen.etsy.com

sparklerama.etsy.com/

SSWOODCRAFT.etsy.com

stellabean.etsy.com/

stuffbysteph77.etsy.com/

SucreFille.etsy.com

Sunflowertouch.etsy.com

SusansBox.etsy.com

thegaudygoddess.etsy.com/

TheMadHatterDesignz.etsy.com

trinlayk.etsy.com/

unusualfelineobjects.etsy.com/

urbanimal.etsy.com

webescrapbooking.etsy.com

wiresnpliers.etsy.com/

Posted at 1:47 pm, January 30 2010 EST

Createability Treasuries

2010-01-30T01:45:00.000-05:00

Createability Team Exposed by Vicki Diane This treasury is fabulous. 12 shops in our amazing team have been "Exposed". Not to worry it's all really good, This way we get to see the faces of the artist in these shops. Featured in this treasury are GenuineKnits, MaplecreekSoap, merigreenleaf, kittyd, penelopedesign, hippiescreations, webescrapbooking, BirdhouseBlessings, HellsSewingCircle, LovejoyCreations, and last but not least julianacreations.

This Treasury Curated by UnusualFelineObjects, shows off even more talent found in our team. She, like all the treasury curators our team has, works really hard finding just the right items and artists for that treasury. This treasury, entitled Createability Loves Exposure, features NotSoShabbyChic, cindylouwho2, opheliasapothecary, berrybluecreations, HellsSewingCirlcle, harvestmoonbyhand, flamingolady, PenguinsPieces, HandmadeByAnnabelle, GrannyKnits, muddipuppy, and last but not least HandPaintedPetals.

Thank you to the curators, and Thank you to Cindylouwho2, who collected the group for VickiDianne's Treasury. Congratulations to all the featured artists and congratulations to the Alternates, whom I know are just as beautiful and talented as their featured teammates. So stay tuned, we'll have many more treasuries to keep you updated on.

Updated Membership List as of January 22, 2010

2010-01-25T12:06:00.001-05:00

Updated Membership List For Etsy Createability Street Team

2010-01-18T12:44:00.000-05:00

Team list updated Jan 8 2010

(to my knowledge this is the most accurate list for treasury-making et al - please let me know if there are any errors)

akuadesigns.etsy.com/

archaicdesign.etsy.com/

artfarmpaperworks.etsy.com

beaddance.etsy.com/

beaddancejewelry.etsy.com

beads2string.etsy.com/

berrybluecreations.etsy.com/

BirdhouseBlessings.etsy.com

blacksheepbeads.etsy.com

Blacksheepdesigns.etsy.com

BNEjewelry.etsy.com/

Carapace.etsy.com/

Catmacdesigns.etsy.com

Cavebaby.etsy.com

cindylouwho2.etsy.com/

classicsredone.etsy.com

clevergirl.etsy.com/

creationsbynoramarie.etsy.com

crochetbymsa.etsy.com/

cuddlebugkids.etsy.com

dementedsnowflake.etsy.com

designsbynoramarie.etsy.com

digitaldownload.etsy.com

digitalstream.etsy.com

divinecanine.etsy.com

doodlebirdie.etsy.com

ellagy.etsy.com

ellesbelle.etsy.com/

emmsgems.etsy.com

ferdworthi.etsy.com

flamingolady.etsy.com/

FibroFibers.etsy.com

Gecko1265.etsy.com

GenuineKnits.etsy.com

glory2727.etsy.com/

GrannysKnits.etsy.com

Gwendolynsdesign.etsy.com

handmadebyannabelle.etsy.com/

HandPaintedPetals.etsy.com

HappyHaven.etsy.com/

Harvestmoonbyhand.etsy.com

HellsSewingCircle.etsy.com

hippiescreations.etsy.com

ImagineMDD.etsy.com

indigocomet.etsy.com

Ionbeads.etsy.com/

jeanetteranney.etsy.com/

jenhintz.etsy.com/

jewelles.etsy.com/

Jonarablu.etsy.com/

julianascreations.etsy.com

Juliesbeadshop.etsy.com

keenaskreations.etsy.com/

kimforbeads.etsy.com

kittyanydots.etsy.com/

kittyd.etsy.com/

kristinamyerscrafts.etsy.com

LillianOlive.etsy.com

littlebirdhousestore.etsy.com/

LovejoyCreations.etsy.com

madameteasley.etsy.com

MadebyMari.etsy.com/

Maplecreeksoap.etsy.com

Mattscraftywife.etsy.com/

merigreenleaf.etsy.com

Mgcuozzo.etsy.com

Mistyridge.etsy.com/

Muddipuppy.etsy.com/

myfavoriteshop.etsy.com/

MyHeartFashion.etsy.com

Mylittle.etsy.com

MyMimsies.etsy.com

MysteryPetz.etsy.com

naturellechic.etsy.com

NeoMetroNeckties.etsy.com

Noelldesiree.etsy.com

NotSoShabbyChic.etsy.com

OneFoldDesigns.etsy.com/

opheliasapothecary.etsy.com/

opheliasarmoire.etsy.com

penelopedesign.etsy.com/

penguinspieces.etsy.com/

priscillahoekstra.etsy.com

PTKDesigns.etsy.com

RainbowGraphics.etsy.com

Rainbowsetc.etsy.com

Rosietreats.etsy.com

sassysoapsnsuch.etsy.com/

SherWear.etsy.com

shopenvy.etsy.com/

sierrapelonacrochet.etsy.com/

sparklerama.etsy.com/

SSWOODCRAFT.etsy.com

stellabean.etsy.com/

stuffbysteph77.etsy.com/

SucreFille.etsy.com

Sunflowertouch.etsy.com

SusansBox.etsy.com

thegaudygoddess.etsy.com/

TheMadHatterDesignz.etsy.com

trinlayk.etsy.com/

unusualfelineobjects.etsy.com/

urbanimal.etsy.com

webescrapbooking.etsy.com

wiresnpliers.etsy.com/

Welcome to the most recent update. My name is Beth and I am known on Etsy as berrybluecreations. Thanks to our team creator and our team leader, I have been given the opportunity to help this wonderful team by becoming an official blog author for the team. I will do my best to keep the blog reading world up to date on Createability's membership and activities. Be on the lookout for blog posts that feature the talents and creative abilities of this most unique group of artists and crafts people.

Shop Createability Team Etsy to find these Specials this Weekend!

2009-11-24T15:14:00.000-05:00

okay, seriously, who doesn't love a sale? the following stores on our team will be having promotions starting November 26th and going through November 30th! please checkout each store and load up on great gifts while supporting the handmade movement!

berrybluecreations.etsy.com – 10% off on all items over $5
BirdhouseBlessings.etsy.com – free ornament with every purchase
Carapace.etsy.com - free US shipping, ½ off int’l shipping
cindylouwho2.etsy.com - 15% off all items
clevergirl.etsy.com – 10% off plus free gift
crochetbymsa.etsy.com – free shipping plus free gift
flamingolady.etsy.com – free card with any purchase
Gwendolynsdesign.etsy.com – BOGO on pins, free shipping over $30
handmadebyannabelle.etsy.com - free shipping
HellsSewingCircle.etsy.com – free shipping on framed items; 3 for 2 on prints
hippiescreations.etsy.com – free shipping plus gift
Ionbeads.etsy.com – free shipping
jewelles.etsy.com – free pearl earrings with every purchase
julianascreations.etsy.com – free shipping plus free earrings with each purchase
kimforbeads.etsy.com – free bug with purchase, free shipping on orders above $25
LovejoyCreations.etsy.com - free notecards with every purchase
MadebyMari.etsy.com – free ornament with purchase
Maplecreeksoap.etsy.com – 15% off orders over $10
mgcuozzo.etsy.com – free shipping
merigreenleaf.etsy.com - free shipping to US & Canada
MyHeartFashion.etsy.com – free shipping
Mylittle.etsy.com – free shipping
MyMimsies.etsy.com – 25% off all items
naturellechic.etsy.com – free shipping, plus buy 3 pendants, get 1 free holiday pendant
NeoMetroNeckties.etsy.com - 25% off all items
OneFoldDesigns.etsy.com – free tags with purchase
opheliasapothecary.etsy.com – free US shipping OR 15% off; free int’l shipping over $35
sierrapelonacrochet.etsy.com - free shipping (except catnip toys)
wiresnpliers.etsy.com - free shipping on select items

Blog Makeover!

2009-04-09T15:16:00.001-04:00

hello everyone...its been a long time coming...over the course of the next two days, this blog will be getting a major overhaul.....please refer to our thread on etsy to see what details are needed from you! I will post on the thread when the new blog is ready to roll!

Group Updating!

2009-01-12T08:44:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday everyone! i just wanted to remind you all of a couple of things. in the site help and business topics there are alot of threads helping you to sort out google analytics....and some of them are even started by me! so, if you need help, go to the forums, and in the search field type either 'google analytics' or 'ga' to search for forum thread titles with those values. you can find alot of helpful information there!

secondly, i will be submitting another email to admin today regarding new members! so be on the lookout for new stores being added within the next couple of weeks on the team home page. i will try to spend time adding those store links to the blog either today or tomorrow....

and, cindy from cindylouwho2 is going to really help with the administration side of things. if you haven't done so already, please convo either her or i with your email address as we are compiling that information!

thanks so much and have a fabulous monday everyone!

Google Analytics Tips for Success!

2009-01-10T00:58:00.001-05:00

What do you do with Google Analytics?

by now, you probably know that Etsy has partnered with Google to give us stats that we have been long requesting from them for our business! If you haven't worked with getting this started in your shop, this blog post will help get you connected.

first of all. go to your etsy shop. once there, go to shop setup, and then click on 'web analytics' . this will launch you to their site. if you already have an account with google, great, if not, they will walk you through setting one up. if you have multiple shops, you will use the same google account, and it will give you a drop down menu to add new account {meaning website/blog/etc}. when that is all done, you will just enter the information in the appropriate fields....when done, you will have a dashboard all set up. here is a video tutorial link to timothy adams blog....it really is a helpful little video and doesn't take lone at all http://timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/01/google-analytics-and-your-etsy-shop.html

but, once this is up....within twenty four hours, what you do with your info is the important thing! i was watching the numbers tonight...and made changes to react to the needs of the business.

~bounce rate....is a percentage pertaining to how quickly a visitor bounces off the site. so, higher the percentage the faster they are leaving your site. you want this percentage to go down. how could we turn this from a non-controllable to a controllable? better pictures, less of a shop announcement, so they see the product front and center....more engaging product descriptions, just for starters.
~time on site...the longer they stay on your site, the better chance of a sale!...another statistic you want to build.
~time on listings tells you what people are looking at!

i will be really focusing on this reporting so that i can learn and bring you all some tips over the course of the next few days!

2008-11-13T20:36:00.001-05:00

Welcome to our very first blog feature! i am pleased to introduce you to Beth of BethsCrayonBox. I'm already looking forward to gifting her crayons to the kids on my Holiday List! My interview with her is posted below, and please go check out her shop by clicking the link to the left in the member list! Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks so much for featuring me on this wonderful blog! I am so happy to be part of this team! Because I can't type, my Sister (Sewmelody) is going to help me out with answering your questions.

-how long have you been doing your craft/art?

I have always loved making pretty things but until a few months ago, did not have a craft that I could really call my own. Because of my disabilities I was limited to tasks that involve one hand...and that eliminates most serious crafting projects. But unknown to me, my family members were brainstorming to come up with a way to let my creativity shine. As a birthday present this year, they presented me with the materials I would need to start a recycled crayon shop on Etsy!

Since then, I have been having so much fun designing beautiful crayons!-what inspires you?The thing that inspires me most is the crayons themselves. I just love working with them and with all of the beautiful colors. It's so much fun to break them up and arrange them into entirely new little works of art.

-what is your favorite food?I'm not hard to please! Spaghetti is my favorite main dish with a helping of cherry vanilla ice cream for dessert!

-what are some of your etsy goals?My primary goal on Etsy is to have a lot of fun making crayons and to hopefully make a little money at the same time.-do you have any favorite etsy artists?I don't spend a lot of time exploring on Etsy because I don't have my own computer so I don't actually know many artists here yet. That means that my favorite Etsy artist has to be my Sister, Sewmelody (www.sewmelody.etsy.com)! Now, what kind of sister would I be if I didn't say that! I do own one of her soft throw-sized blankets in all lavender:).

-what's your favorite thing to do or place to go?I really like to go the mall. I enjoy window shopping and picking up little things from my favorite stores. There's a lot of room for me to use the higher speeds on my metallic-pink wheelchair (sshhhh....don't tell!) and have a treat or a hot pretzel!

what is something you would like to share with your teammates?-When I break the single crayons down to make them ready to redesign, they are always flying everywhere! My family jokes that they are going to make me a T-shirt that says, "Breaks and Throws Crayons!" I am also getting ready to do my first craft show with my sister and am very excited! I wish you could see the hundreds and hundreds of crayons I get to work with. It's an ocean of color!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

thank you beth and melody! we are so happy to have you on our team! many blessings!

Happy Election Day Being Over Day!

2008-11-05T23:03:00.000-05:00

This year's election was a heated couple of years of political debates. I know, you all, of all people, had your minds on what the candidates would do for health care reform. We all probably understand just how important that topic is since we are impacted by it on a daily basis. I am so happy that the election is finally over...as i'm sure most of you are! I'm definately ready to move on and talk about something different.....

that being said....i would like to get some input about what you all want from this group.....i will post your ideas here so we can really get started building our team and helping support new disabled artists as they come to etsy.....

i will be featuring our first artist this friday...so check back in to learn more about carapace from etsy then! have a fabulous evening!~deborah

We are Officially a Team!

2008-10-31T11:00:00.000-04:00

hello everyone! i just wanted to take a moment to post some info for everyone! first of all...thankyou for all the great convo's around starting our new team! i continue to get emails almost daily of people who want to join.

We will be tagging our merchandise in our shops with "createability" to help guide people towards our team on etsy search...so, when time permits, please go through and add that tag for your items. while you are at it...it would be awesome if you wanted to mention the team in your shop announcement. i know i plan to just drop a word or two in...and i don't plan on really going into details about the team other than to "be sure to check out my friends in the new CreateAbility Team Esty by typing 'createability' into the search function"....that will also enable you to find everyone more easily should you want to create a treasury featuring your new team mates....

I am trying to come up with a schedule of events for our team. While i'm in the process of that, i would also like to get links to everyone's blogs if you have one...so feel free to convo me that info as well.

Starting this Sunday...i will open our first official forum thread in the Teams and Events Section. Feel free to come check in, have a chat, and post links to your newest creations for everyone to see. This sort of weekly thing has been helpful in my other teams to really help encourage each other, and show off our new wares!

Mondays will be my official blogging day...so, you will always know to check the blog then....and i believe going forward, that fridays will be "feature fridays"....if you would like to submit a feature article about a fellow teammate and interview them and such, please convo the info to me and i will post it on the blog each friday morning. I will start off this event with next friday! submissions should be turned in no later than wednesday evening!

coming soon, we will be talking about organizing a team store, where you can make a donation! i think it would be a fabulous idea to use the funds as startup money to help other people with disabilities get a craft or art going....and to help them build inventory on etsy. but, we can talk about that soon...just wanted to get your minds going!

okay...enough bloggy bloggy for me....can't wait to see....eh, talk to you all on Sunday with our weekly thread and looking forward to getting to know you all! many blessings, and have a beautiful day! deborah

Welcome To Our New Team!

2008-10-24T00:57:00.000-04:00

This is the first post to kick off the new Etsy Street Team, Createability Team Etsy. This team was formed around October 18th...by a handful of Etsy artists that saw a need and i, Deborah {aka the gaudy goddess} decided to kickoff. As our first post, i want to welcome everyone, and open a challenge to each of the members to brainstorm to figure out what we really want this team to accomplish going into the holiday season. I know we have had talks of opening an Etsy Team Store....i would like to see you all sharing tutorials that we can post here on our team blog....maybe we can also have themed challenges. The sky is the limit, and this group is for you! You all helped it come to be, and i welcome and encourage lots of input to make this one of the cooler Etsy groups!

some of the ideas off the top of my head:
~challenges
~featured shops
~blogging carnivals
~tutorials
~business topics
~team store
~materials swapping

i am so excited for this team to take off! i feel we have many opportunities and resources to help each other really succeed....we are all in this together! feel free to contact me by posting comments here or by convo'ing my shop!