I'm getting a new banner and avatar for my Esty shop! Yay!

When I first opened my Etsy shop, I purchased a banner package from a graphic artist on Etsy. I like the banner and avatar quite well. I think the artist did a great job, but I've had the same banner since 2007/2008. I'm finding that I'm bored with it and want a change. I mean, it is 2011 after all.

I received my weekly Etsy Success email yesterday and two of the articles really made me realize I needed to make a few changes to my Etsy shop. The article can be found here. One article talked about the importance of having a banner and avatar. Well, I have both and they're cute, but I need something new.

This morning I logged onto Etsy and searched out some new banner/avatar packages. There are many graphic artists on Etsy who bundle Etsy shop starter kits. I ended up purchasing two different kits from MiPrincess . She sells nothing but banner & avatar kits and her prices are super duper reasonable. Her work is cute, she is very accommodating with your font choices and she gets your purchase to you quickly upon your approval. I highly recommend her work! Here's my new banner!

Handmade accessories...Why be without them?

I think accessories can brighten up any outfit. Why be drab when you can be cute and sassy by adding handmade accessories to garments. Handmade items are unique and can make your dull, ordinary outfit spectacular!

The purpled up in plaid bloom pin by $18 by Sweet & Dirty’s Emporium

I love the combination of textures in this purpled pin as well as the top stitching and button details. It looks cute on a top and I also think it would be cute on a coat or tote bag.

Cream Infinity Scarf / Recycled T-Shirt $20 by Oh-Zie

This scarf is super cute and would dress up any t-shirt or sweater. It's made from an old t-shirt and has a cute brown flower detail to dress it up a bit. Great way to recycle an old item if I don't say so myself.

Vintage wool plaid button bobbies/hair pins $6 by Mattie Reid Chicago

These hair pins were actually made by me. I used to be a vintage button hoarder and started making things with them. I've made a lot of hair accessories with the buttons that had a matching mate. I think these buttons would look cute on anyone.

The Etsy Recyclers Guild Team has a lot of talented artists who make eco-friendly products. All products are recycled into something else, which is beneficial to everyone. Our team motto is basically, "We live green, we love to recycle, and that's what brought us together. Our team believes in Random Acts of Kindness, a movement to promote each other's shops and spread the word about living green." To shop handmade items on our team, you can click here.

Let me introduce you to Retreauxgirl on Etsy

I'm a member of a great Etsy team called the Etsy Recyclers Guild. You can find our team blog here. Leslie from Retreauxgirl is a really great girl who makes super cute, unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. All of her jewelry is made from vintage keys, door hinges and vintage jewelry, which I love! You can find her blog here.

The Rusty Royal- Repurposed Antique Brooch and Pearl Necklace $65

I like how Leslie incorporates a variety of vintage pieces in each jewelry piece:

Green with Envy Repurposed Necklace $50


Leslie is a very active member within the Etsy community as well as her own community. She's always showing her jewelry at various places around Beaumont, Texas.

To raise awareness about our team and team blog, we are having a contest on our team blog. Please click here for additional details.

Vintage chain link upcycled into a necklace & bracelet

Most of the items I upcycle are made from vintage jewelry pieces. Last night, I was talking to my sister, Courtney, on the phone. She lives in Illinois and we don't talk terribly often. When we do end up talking, our conversations end up lasting for about an hour.

As I was talking to Courtney last night, I started digging through my junk jewelry and started playing with some vintage chain links in the box. I ended up making a matching necklace and bracelet set:

Here's the necklace on my neck:

Here's the bracelet on my wrist:

I haven't listed these in my shop yet, but plan to do so later today. Mention this post and I'll send you a coupon code for 25% off anything in my shop.