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THE POTTI TEAM BLOG 

Today we take a look at three of our shops whose specialties are variety, either within their Etsy shops, or their professional lives.

Steph of EssBeeBags is a British primary school teacher who retrained in fashion and textile with an eye to switching careers.  Teaching continues to pay the bills, and she applies her creative skills, with a liberal dose of perfectionism, to sewn items offered in her Etsy store.

She describes her perfectionism as an exhausting influence, but lists her "meticulous attention to detail" as one of her greatest strengths.  It is also a guarantee that her buyers will receive the finest quality products from her shop!

To say that Steph sells purses and bags is like saying Spielberg made movies.  (Is that a little too dramatic?)

Well, anyway, Steph does not only make bags and purses.  She creates new products as her friends ask for creative solutions.  This is why she

makes kindle cases, coin purses and cosmetic bags, phone pouches, pencil cases, and passport holders.  She makes a phone pouch that unzips, and a clutch with a removable wristlet and a detachable brooch. Her beach bags, shopping bags, and purses are creative and pretty!

Steph says that she only produces when she has a commission, or feels a creative urge.  She also guarantees that if you request a one-of-a-kind custom order, she will see to it that you truly receive one!!

                                       

Linda of RokkiHandbags also has a dual education.  She began as an artist, and worked in graphics before she started a family. She returned to school some years later and completed her MFA  in fiction.  Her accomplishments? 

I will let her tell you those in her own words (although she omits  the Poetry Chapbook Award from Bottom Dog Press and the Pushcart Prize nomination ((the Pushcart Prize is one of the highest literary honors in the nation for individuals published by small presses)) ). And by the way, her last name is Sienkiewicz, should you wish to Google her, or read her poetry book reviews on Amazon.

Linda states, "As a writer, I’ve been published in over 50 literary journals and anthologies, and my art has been published, too. You can find my poetry chapbooks on Amazon. At the ripe age of 54, I went back to school to earn my MFA (Masters of Fine Art in Creative Writing). I'm proud to announce that my novel, IN THE CONTEXT OF LOVE, will be published sometime in 2015." 

lindaksienkiewicz.com

One would think that she would have little time to craft fabulous clutch handbags made from books, but one would evidently be wrong!! Not only does she craft these beauties with attention to detail, including little pockets in the linings of her creations, she also manages to be attentive to the needs of her buyers, and to ship within a day or two of an order.  She chooses attractive and interesting books to convert into purses, and they are amazing!

As a writer, she respects books, and is not eager to destroy one.  She actively seeks those "gathering dust on a shelf or buried in a cardboard box." She explains that "the pages from the books are rebound for [her] own library, shipped to the customer, or recycled in some way (see bit.ly/1kcp7dP) .  So [she] feel[s] good about what [she] does. "

About her product she says, "Carrying a book purse is such fun. Because they’re such a unique fashion accessory, people always notice them. I tuck a book clutch wallet inside my regular purse, and it never fails to surprise others when I open the book and they see it’s more than just a book! Book purses are a great way to show your passion for a particular writer, novel, or genre. My customers are passionate people."  So, apparently, is Linda!

Jen of Malibuquilts offers a 
variety of products that emerged 

as her shop grew.  When she opened her Etsy store she began with her beautiful and unique quilts.  Fairly soon she realized that she needed to offer some items in a lower price range as well, and her delightful patchwork bears were born!

Roughly six months after the bears, she added zippered pencil cases, which she offers in a broad range of fabric colors and attractive designs.  Also called organizer cases, these have grommets to fit into a three ring binder, but would work well in a purse too.

After Jen's sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, she tired of the pink gifts that are traditionally associated with it.  She discussed with Jen some funny comments and sayings that she felt would be more appreciated.  Jen bought a button maker, and the two collaborated on the project. 

These, together with a wide selection of other sayings requested by customers are available in her store.  Recent Potti Team jokes have prompted  BEWARE OF TEMPERATURE TANTRUMS, and BEWARE OF POWER SURGES.  Should you have a special request for a button, contact Jen through her Etsy shop, and she will let you know if she can make it for you! (She offers a variety of colors for these also).

Her most recent shop additions are arm warmers, or fingerless gloves.  She makes these from upcycled sweaters, and they are just darling!

All three of these Potti Team members use Twitter to help promote their shops -             this is a Potti Team priority.   Jen, however, has four Twitter accounts, and actively 
           uses them all!!   Michele Davidson                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

        Extra blog art from Sweetly Scrapped  @  http://sweetlyscrappedart.blogspot.com