Etsy Shredwear Street Team

Oh Canada!

2011-03-14T09:24:00.000-07:00

Here's what our team made for our Canada Challenge! Vote for your favorite in the poll to the right.

1) BumbleFuzz - Monte Moose Beanie

2) BurnyBunch - Beaded Fingerless Gloves

3) PlayinHookyDesigns - Canadian Maple Leaf Beanie

4) SewNinja - Inukshuk Bunting Bag

HAPPY VOTING!!

NEW SHREDDIE CHALLENGE!!

2011-02-22T08:01:00.000-08:00

Hey Shreddies!

We're so excited to FINALLY announce the next Shredwear challenge! We've been so busy and we didn't mean to neglect you, but we got an idea for our next challenge from Stacey of SewNinja. We paid our homage to Australia, so now it's time to send the love up north. WAY up north... CANADA to be exact! This month's theme is based on everything to do with our friendly neighborhood Canucks. Think maple leaves, moose, French-Canadians, & good old red & white.

Here's what to do:

Create your listing on Etsy and e-mail the link to etsyshredwear@gmail.com by March 13th.(that gives you almost 3 weeks to work on an entry!)
Pictures will be posted here and you can vote from March 14 - March 19th.
The winner will be announced on March 20th (the Spring Equinox!)
There will be a prize for the winner!!

Let us know if you have any questions! Red & white, maple leaves, and moose-a-go-go!!!

Fame & Fortune...

2010-12-15T09:47:00.000-08:00

Our team was featured in this weeks Etsy Teams e-mail! How AWESOME is that? World domination is imminent!

Halloween Competition

2010-10-26T09:41:00.000-07:00

Hey Shreddies! It's time for the 3rd Etsy Shredwear competition. This time we thought we'd spook it up a little and celebrate Halloween! The northern hemisphere is gearing up for ski season and our team is where to go to get awesome clothes, accessories, hats, and even pint glasses for all your shredding needs! So check out these entries and all the other sweet creations made by the Shredwear team!

Vote for your favorite Halloween entry by leaving a comment. Only your first comment will count; one vote per person please! Voting closes at midnight (EST) on Oct 30. The winner will be announced on Oct 31st when they get to claim their awesome prize!

Click on the captions below each picture for more info about the item

Miss Muffet Fringe Cowl/Shawl

Fall Hand Knit Ski/Snowboard Beanie

Jack Skellington & Sally Etched Pint Glasses

Along Came a Spider Halloween Beanie

Hunting Widow Elk Zip-up Hoodie

Puffery Beanie - Fall Theme

G'day! It's the Down Under Competition!

2010-07-18T04:44:00.001-07:00

Over June and July, Etsy Team Shredwear held it's second competition in the spirit of the Southern Winter. We asked our members to be inspired by the Australian and New Zealand ski season and possibly even reach out to a new market Down Under during their Winter.

We are happy to announce the winner is.......... SEW NINJA with her Silver Fern Kangaroo Hoodie.

Congratulations!!!

May's Featured Artist

2010-05-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

Company Name: EastMesaDesign

Name: Deanna Mautz

Website: www.eastmesadesign.etsy.com

Email Address: eastmesadesign@yahoo.com

So, what’s your story?

I was born and raised in Michigan, small town mid-western girl. I hated it. I left as soon as I turned 18, and went as far as I could go: California. I lived there for 11 years, and learned a lot about myself; about how strong I was, how to be independent, self-sufficient, and where I fit in this world. I moved to CO for a boy, and it was a great move. I am an RN by trade, artist by heart. I work hard, and play harder!

How did you get started creating your artwork?

I needed a creative outlet, and if I made a little money along the way that was even better. I began drawing on glass, with a Dremel tool that my husband had in the shop. I started with a few designs, and put them on Etsy. Pretty soon, I was busy! I started researching etching with a sandblaster. I found some used equipment in my area, and went for it. The equipment was paid off in 2 short months with sales from Etsy!

Where does your inspiration come from?

I might be sitting at my computer late at night, and an idea comes to mind. Or it might be early morning with a cup of coffee enjoying the silence before the family wakes up. But most of my thoughts come to me as I amdriving. My mind is clear when I am driving, and it has always been the place where I resolve internal struggles. It is a good thing that I live 10 miles from town!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

It is hard enough for me to say where I will be tomorrow…

Where do you sell your work?

Etsy. I haven’t attempted to sell anywhere else at this point.

Who is your favorite artist?

My dad used to say “Rule #1, never turn the radio when Bob Seger is playing.” I used to hate listening to my dad’s music. But now I find comfort in listening to it. My ipod is filled with all the music from that time in my life and his. It seems like yesterday, but it was long ago.

What is your favorite song and by whom?

Black by Pearl Jam. It is honest and raw longing!

If you were stranded on a deserted island, with your family, what 5 things would you bring with you?

My MacGyver skills just kicked in: a knife, flint, a roll of heavy string, a mirror, chapstick, and a toothbrush. Yeah, I know it is 6 items!

Why do you think people should buy handmade?

Main streets are disappearing at a rather fast pace. I hate to think that my daughter will not be able to experience that type of culture and friendliness. We have sold our souls to the Big Box stores.

Major corporations are sucking the life out of our communities. I would rather pay 10-20% more for something that I know came from someone’s hard work and maybe even their heart. Buying handmade will help establish a new economic economy that Box stores have robbed us of.

I don’t know where I read this but “Treasures are handmade with love and thought, not mass produced”.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Passion is an integral ingredient in everything we do. With East Mesa Design, I have the opportunity to be involved in work that I am passionate about and believe in. I love being able to be a part of someone’s

special project: a glass they design, a set of wedding glasses, gifts for their bridesmaids, graduation gifts.

Spring Into Shredwear

2010-04-22T20:45:00.000-07:00

Team Shredwear's first grab at the new Treasury East on Etsy. Looks pretty good to me!

Etsy Shred or Bust!!

2010-04-21T20:30:00.000-07:00

An Etsy Shredwear moment really doesn't get any more proud than this:

Check out Raskol Ink . and Aimee Babnau Art and Design who built a big wheels bike out of cardboard, string, tape and a lot of elmers glue (also a little paper). The big wheels didnt quite make it but they could tell it wanted to @ Grand Targhee Resort recently.

CLICK FOR MORE PICS @ FACEBOOK

You guys win the SHREDDY SPIRIT award trophy today ;)

What Snowboarders Want!

2010-04-04T03:23:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across this article tonight entitled "Snowboard Clothing" while chasing some links from my Twitter account. A couple of sentences really struck my interest, and I thought it would really help explain our Shredwear mentality.

But let’s not forget about the looks! As many other sportsmen and women, snowboarders prefer clothing that reflects their lifestyle; outstanding looks will help them distinguish from their boarder fellows, preserving and enhancing their feeling of uniqueness.

This really rings true, and has been getting more and more clearer as each year goes by. But honestly, snowboarders really go out of their way to not only look "cool", but also look different from everyone else. They want to show off their personality, their egos, and stand out more than the next guy in the lift line... heh, and it's hard not to; snowboarders are personalities to be reckoned with whether on or off piste.

Season after season, snowboard clothing seems to evolve to allow snowboarders more freedom...

Although this freedom to move is essential and highly appreciated by boarders, they also search for clothing that offers the maximum possible durability, without disregarding quality.

With the exception of high quality outerwear that can only really be machine manufactured, let's direct this point of view to handmade accessories. Anyone who skis or rides on a regular basis knows how important it is to have a well constructed beanie or neckwarmer out on the slopes. We require items that need to be breathable, yet warm. Reliable, yet trendy. Unique, yet attractive.

Snowboarders are a fickle bunch. What's cool one year can easily be stamped out as outdated the next season. This is why it's important to stay ahead of the game - stay creative, research what people are wearing now, listen to what people want to see more of, hear what people need... like a bigger button to make that clasp look sick, or a secret hidden pocket on the inside of that hem to stash something secret away. These are the things that boarders want - they want the things that don't even exist yet!

So... Can you stay ahead of the game? Can you stay inventive? If not, at least make it bright. The kids these days just love shiny sparkly things.

Click for the full article.

--Angie (Zwilling)

Shred Down

2010-04-02T19:49:00.000-07:00

Featured Shreddy Member

2010-03-27T18:28:00.000-07:00

Name: Al Ishii

Company Name: The Sada Abe Experience

Website: http://thesadaabeexperience.etsy.com

So, what’s your story?

My name is Al Ishii. I’m twenty two, currently in Los Angeles, and in college, majoring in music. The bulk of my craft opus is knit, with occasional crocheted embellishments, loom spun flowers, and a little embroidery here and there.

Since this is going on the Etsy Shredwear blog, I’ll add that my winter sport of choice has always been figure skating. That explains why I’m morbidly skinny, can jump high, stand on one leg and twist my body into the shape of a donut, spin like nobody’s business, and why whatever it is I design, no amount of glitter and sequins is ever enough.

How did you get started creating your artwork?

I learned to crochet in grade school. Knitting I started around the same time I began studying audio production/post-production. When I had about fifty beanies and scarves around the house and was in need of an MBox Mini, that’s when I went into business.

Of course, that’s not to imply knitting is just enterprise.

Where does your inspiration come from?

The projects that get me the most excited start with a song. I always have one or two running through my head, but occasionally, a very vivid picture of what the music would look like “transcribed”, so to say, as a scarf or bracelet will come to mind as well. That’s when I get to knitting. It’s totally on a whim, but luckily, I’ve done enough exercises in increasing, decreasing, and have a whole lexicon of stitches under the hand so as to avoid total disaster… Most of the time, anyway. My “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” Nudie-inspired sweater still needs work.

…The series of bangles I just finished in homage to Hoagy Carmichael’s “Stardust” came out awful pretty, though.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In the grand tradition of the Romantic waif, I have absolutely no intention of living that long.

Where do you sell your work?

Etsy is my home turf. I went in with a friend on a farmers’ market booth once, but with so small a window of time to sell scarves and skullcaps here in Los Angeles, I’ll always be loyal to Etsy.

Who is your favorite artist?

Gianlorenzo Bernini. His work is pure electricity, artistic virtuosity in the highest regard. Or Keiichi Takasawa, but that’s just because he compulsively sketched these tall, awkward, Anglo-Japanese youths with long hair, long necks, long fingers, and long nails who kinda look like me.

What is your favorite song and by whom?

I have to give a shout out to Schubert’s musical setting of Goethe’s “Gretchen am Spinnrade”, for having an awesome text, harmonic modulations out the proverbial wah-zoo, and its absolutely riveting exemplification of the “psychotic love song” genre.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, with your family, what 5 things would you bring with you?

Food, water, yarn, Boggle or Scrabble, and a boat to get the heck off that island.

Why do you think people should buy handmade?

Well, in this era of huge chain stores where you can find everything you need, handmade items have an actual person behind them – a person with a skill, and it’s refreshing to know that your patronage could very well help make that individual’s life a little easier. Furthermore, buying handmade encourages resourcefulness; the “why buy one when I can make one myself” mentality is going out of vogue, I’m afraid.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

That last answer sounds old and crotchety, so I’ll end by saying I’m very optimistic about the future of the Etsy Shredwear Team in that it’s wonderful to see knitters, crocheters, and other crafters looking to do something hip, youthful, and ready to take these skills our grandparents utilized in a brand new, exciting direction. That’s what art’s all about.

St Patrick's Day Team Challenge

2010-03-18T20:43:00.000-07:00

Thankyou to everyone who participated in the recent St Patrick's Day competition. Liz and I are just blown away by all the entries and by the absolute enthusiasm shown by everyone over the past couple of weeks. We could never have expected such a great response. You guys are just AMAZING!!

So, without further adieu, I would like to announce our winner:

With a landslide number of 236 votes, the winner is........ BurnyBunch with Knitted Shamrock (removeable) newsboy baseball cap beanie !!!!!! You win a custom Etsy Shredwear sticker set from ABabneauArt !!! CONGRATULATONS!!!!!

Honorable mentions go to:
Zwilling in 2nd place with 56 votes, and;
Sew Ninja in 3rd place with 52 votes.

Across the 16 entries received for this competition, we logged a massive 462 votes in 7 days!! And, in the duration of the vote poll being open, 3 of our Shredwear poll items sold. Well done, everyone!

We look foward to holding our next competition very soon. If it's anything like this one, it's going to be ridiculous!!

A new season on the rise

2010-02-27T17:59:00.000-08:00

As February draws to a close, we stroll into March. This means, *gasp*, the end of Winter - for those of us in the North anyway.

The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics have been such a great success and reminds us how awesome Winter sports are. Not to mention checking out some of the fashion on display over the past two weeks.

Everything from knitted mittens, scarves, beanies and full blown oldskool sweaters, we've seen them all on display. Have you been inspired?

So as Winter winds down slowly, don't forget there's another half of the globe that are winding UP for a huge season. Winter doesn't end just because the snow stops falling on your doorstep! If you didn't know already, there is a massive Winter culture in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia, New Zealand and South America just to name a few - these places have some of the greatest ski resorts and, more importantly, passionate punters.

Start working on marketing to these guys. They're all looking for the next coolest thing to wear this season right now! The season starts in June and runs til September/October (yes it's a little shorter, but it just makes them all the more mental for it) so don't stop the Shredwear just yet. These guys down under are probably some of the most fashion obsessed steezy folks out there, and they definitely know that having something unique is the only way to be cool on the mountain. Get bright and bold, and put it out there! Go big or go home!

There are Shreddys worldwide! Get in touch and reach out to a new season of riders and skiers.

Front Page Shredwear

2010-02-14T12:46:00.001-08:00

Congrats to SewNinja on making the Etsy Front page today!!! (Check out the whole page listing here.)

This dress could be worn by any Shreddy chick on a weekend checking out the markets and stopping into cafes. Yes, we need time off from riding too!

Our members are just taking off all over Etsy. You guys must be awesome.

Have you been spotted somewhere? Remember to email us and let us know if we haven't seen you already!

Keep up the Shred.

--Angie

Etsy Front Page Feature

2010-02-09T15:26:00.001-08:00

And almost just as predicted, another Shreddy member has been featured - this time on Etsy's prestigious Front Page! East Mesa Design's Spend an arm and a leg to break one - skier etched pint glass was on the Front Page on February 8th, 2010.

Well done on this cool item! Cheers :)

Etsy Finds: Opposites Attract

2010-02-08T16:28:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Bessette Art for being featured in today's Etsy Finds: Opposites Attract email newsletter with this great item!

Here's to more Shreddy's being featured soon!

Ice Cold and White Hot

2010-02-01T05:26:00.001-08:00

Shredders! Check out the latest Treasury West that Zwilling was about to grab at the last moment tonight!

Be sure to click on all the items and leave a comment...

Do your part and pimp the treasury out for Team Shredwear! Looking sick, Shreddys.

--Angie

Red Treasury

2010-01-28T22:22:00.000-08:00

Red Treasury is up!!

Click on all the items and comment below the treasury to make it RED HOT. It helps us get more exposure the more clicks we get!

Link this everywhere, Shredders. It's good stuff :)

--Angie

New Recruits!

2010-01-28T18:28:00.001-08:00

Hello my little Shredders. Want to hear the news? We're currently recruiting more members and have had a great response!

To our Shreddy team we've added some more stores that sell knitted cowls and scarves, sweet hoodies, printed shirts and even cool hand etched beer glasses. C'mon, you can't deny that's some pretty cool stuff to have! We all know that the apres-bar is the place to look awesome after a long day on the pow, and who doesn't want a piece of that?

If you know anyone who is shred worthy, let us know! We love Winters so much we know how much you want to look gnar too. Team Shredwear, punk!

--Angie

Sales for Haiti Relief

2010-01-20T21:54:00.000-08:00

The Head Said is currently donating 100% of Scrap Cap sales and 25% of all other hat sales to the Red Cross to assist with the disaster relief in Haiti.

What a great effort! Get clicking and grab a cap for a good cause.

-Angie
Zwilling Headwear

I Heart Winter Sports

2010-01-16T19:16:00.003-08:00

Shawn of The Head Said has nabbed us Shredders another Treasury this week and has dedicated to Winter Sports! Check it out!

Make sure to click on every item and comment on our Treasury to make it HOT HOT HOT!!

Go team! You guys are rocking it. And thanks Shawn!

- Angie
Zwilling Headwear

Treasury

2010-01-12T08:11:00.000-08:00

The Etsy Treasury is a way to feature and promote favorite sellers by 'curating' a collection of items into a treasury. There are only a certain number of treasuries allowed at a time, so to make one, you have to wait until positions open up.

As soon as I got the e-mail letting us know we are an official Etsy Team, the treasury opened!! I had to take it, even though I wasn't ready. SO I scoured through our seller's shops to make a winter blue treasury. And here it is!!

One thing you can do is make our first treasury HOT! That means that it gets closer and closer to being featured on page 1, which means more exposure for our team and our members! How does that happen? Hotness is based on three things so here's what you do: Go view the treasury, click on EVERY item (even if it's just for a second), and leave a comment.

This is only the first of many sick treasuries to come!!

IT'S OFFICIAL

2010-01-11T15:26:00.001-08:00

I just got the e-mail letting us know that we are an official Etsy team!! Our team profile will be posted to the Etsy Teams page within the next 2 weeks.

Soon we'll be having team challenges, promotions, and treasuries featuring our artists! Now that we're a team, there're a few things members can do to start promoting our work:

Tweet, Facebook, and Blog about our official status!!
Tag all the items in your shop with "etsyshredwear"
Grab the "I'm a member" Badge (on the left sidebar) for your blog or website.
Make a treasury featuring our members and promote it.
Mention the team in your shop announcement.

-Liz

Playin' Hooky Designs

CyanideStitches featured in Etsy Finds

2009-12-31T14:38:00.001-08:00

The theme for today's Etsy Finds e-mail was "Big in 2009" and featured trends that topped the charts in 2009. They were divided into sections including Woodland Creatures, Mustaches and Beards, Vintage Decor, Neon, Customizable Items, Plaid, Faux Bois, and Vampires.

Congratulations to our member CyanideStitches for being featured in the Vampire section with their Dracula InstaFace Bandanna. It was sold right after the e-mail came out!!

CyanideStitches could've made the list multiple times with their mustache bandannas and neon colors, but it was the Dracula bandanna that stole Etsy's heart!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

-Liz

Playin' Hooky Designs

'Tis the season...

2009-12-23T15:47:00.000-08:00

Christmas is only days away, so we at Team Shredwear would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and all the best for the holidays.

While it's snowing where most of you are, as a token Australian on the Team I'd like to express how genuinely jealous I am of you all! The holidays are a little different down here, where Santa usually surfs into Bondi Beach and it's usually a good 35C/95F degrees every day. The mere thought of eating a full hot turkey for dinner just brings a sweat to my forehead!

That being said, I'm off to a big BBQ today where all the boys will be holding beers in stubbies in one hand and tongs pushing around some snags in the other. The girls will be in shorts and thongs (flip-flops!) making 4 types of salad and the kids will be jumping in the pool to cool off.

Okay, so it's not all bad. Beaches and sunshine? Why am I complaining? I know, there are two sides to every story (you've got shovelling driveways, ice roads, avalanches!) but I think for this time of year I would happily trade. Nothing says Christmas like snow - I just adore snow covered pine trees and fairy lights in frosted windows. Enjoy your deep snowy wonderland and spare a thought for the other half who dream of White Christmasses! Goodness knows I've love a new beanie if I had half an excuse to wear it.

So on that note, I'd like to send out a big thanks to everyone for the support this year and we can't wait for all the great things to come in 2010.

Be good, stay awesome and we'll see you very soon!

--Angie
Zwilling Headwear

Teamwear Photos

2009-12-20T14:56:00.000-08:00

Have you caught your gear in action?

Head over to the Facebook Fanpage and add your pics to the wall! We want to feature you and your items on the blog here. Everyone loves a great photo.

Christmas is coming, and I'm sure many of you have items as gifts (no excuses). C'mon... dust off that camera, get your kids and all your best mates outside, and get Shredding!

--Angie
Zwilling Headwear

(PS. Yes, that's my dorky mug in the photo haha)

Etsy Contacted!!

2009-12-20T08:42:00.000-08:00

I just sent an e-mail to Etsy Teams with our team info to make us an official Etsy Team!! The automated e-mail I got back said that it could take up to a week to review our team and it might be longer because it's so close to the holiday break. But we're going to be a team soon!! As soon as we hear from Etsy, we'll let you know and we can start promoting and recruiting for our group!!

On another note, if you have any pictures of your items in action, add them to the Facebook page. When we have more of them I'll feature them on our blog.

-Liz

Playin' Hooky Designs

Getting members on board

2009-12-17T21:25:00.000-08:00

Today Etsy Shredwear has started the ball rolling and has begun contact with Etsy Sellers who fit the Shredwear mould. Things are now moving, and once we have a group together we'll be "official" with Etsy. Hooray!

If you know someone, or if you think you're a Shredder at heart too, shoot us an email and we'll let you know how to join. Thanks to everyone who has shown interest so far, and we can't wait to work with you in the new year!

- Angie
Zwilling Headwear

The Beginning...

2009-12-15T13:19:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Etsy Shredwear Team! We're just getting started so the blog's a little bare, but not for long. Zwilling Headwear & Playin' Hooky Designs have come together to make a team for Shredders. We saw a huge hole in the world of Etsy for those of us who like to use bright colors and funky patterns. This is not a team for the feint of heart (or the crocheters of doilies). We make and sell clothing, accessories, and gear for shredding!!

Right now, we're working on getting our sites up and running and contacting potential members. Then we have to contact Etsy and we'll be official!!

If you're interested in joining the team, please contact Angie at Zwilling Headwear or Liz at Playin' Hooky Designs for more information.

- Liz
Playin' Hooky Designs