Getting to Know Y Knot Shop

Light Blue Polka Dot Tube Hot/Cold Therapy Pad by YKnotShop

When you meet and talk with Jenn from YKnotShop you can tell what's important to her. It's her family and that's what actually got her into making her therapy pads. Jenn's shop is filled with therapy pads for all needs and accessories made with satin cord. Here's more about Jenn and YKnotShop in her own words...

On how she got started - I actually started out on Etsy as MondrysYknotShop for the fleece hats and scarves that I was making. Then my husband at the time was in need of some therapy and I started making my heating pads for him and decided that it would great to help others in pain as well.

What she's working on - Right now I am working on hand warmers and eye masks. I am also working on starting up a line of hand bags. My creativity is all over the place in my mind.

What she enjoys most in life and in West Michigan - My children. My family. They are truly all that keeps me in this place.

Her best advice - Never give up, never stop creating and no matter what anyone says know you ARE the best you can be.

You can find Jenn on Etsy, Twitter, Facebook and at her blog. 

At the Market

If you're a regular in the EtsyWMI team forums or know a Grand Rapids area artist, you've probably heard FSAM referenced time and time again. It is coming up in just over a week after all! EtsyWMI team member Jenn from YKnotShop, has put together a Q&A to help you learn more about FSAM as a newbie to the market.

I was wondering what FSAM means?
FSAM = Fulton Street ARTisans Market.

I am new to the market give me some details on FSAM!! 
It is an open air market that is located at the Fulton Street Farmers Market (corner of Fulton and Fuller in Grand Rapids) on Sundays starting June 13th. You get one 16 foot booth/stall for $10 or an 8 foot booth/stall for $7 first come first served basis.

Some things you may want to know about your booth: 
Your booth will be about 16' long and slanted forward. You will need table coverings, shade and other basic things that you would need for a show as in props and such. Remember, it is an outdoor open market. A 10x10 canopy will cover little more than half of your booth. I also put a tarp out over my customers - they tend to stick around at your booth longer when it is shaded. You can park your car right back up to your spot. 

Can I still sign up?

There are only a limited number of season vendors, but there are lots of spaces other than that. If you are free on June 13th stop down and see what it is about. The 13th is full but there are usually openings on the other Sundays and you do not have to commit to every Sunday. I am afraid that I can't say that every Sunday is full of people but there is starting to be quite a lot of people coming more and more. It is definitely a growing market.

How much inventory should I bring with me?
That is entirely up to you. Do you have a half booth or a full booth? Each half is 8ft long so you want to look full but not over full. You can always have extra in the car to replenish, so just make what you think will be good and go from there. There is no magic number. My booth has changed so much over the past 3 years it isn't even funny. You will learn from experience. I don't sell what you sell so I can't tell you really how much to bring. Like I said bring what you've got and if it is too much keep some hidden to replenish. If it looks like not enough do some filling in and know that next time you need more.

Some set ups
I have a few of my older set-ups here if you want to take a look. You can see some here from other artisans.

Feel free to take a trip down to the market during the week, when the farmers are there, and you can get a feel for the space and how others do things like canopies. Sometimes there are crafters there too so you could say hi and glean some info from them.

You can always find more info about FSAM on Facebook and on their website.

The most important thing is to have FUN!!!!! See you there.

Feature Artist: MondrysYknotShop

What is your shop name and what do you sell? Mondry's Y Knot Shop and I sell a variety of things. Everything from hand knotted jewelry to gift bags and therapy pads.

What is your shop's URL? Http://MondrysYknotShop.etsy.com

When did you start selling on Etsy? August of 2007

What is your favorite thing about Etsy? The forums and all of my close friends

What is your favorite thing about what you sell? Why, creating it of course.

What is your favorite item in your own shop and why? I have to say that the black and white colorized postcards are my current favorite but I like them all. Otherwise I wouldn't make them.

What teams do you belong to? I am a co-leader of the EtsyFriends team and a member of the EtsyWMI team.

What is the most fun thing you do to promote your shop? I like to chat in the forums and chat rooms but my most favorite way is to take my items to shows and show them off.

What are some of your favorite finds by other sellers on Etsy? You know I have many items in my favorites but I can't pick anything I like pretty much everything that is listed on Etsy. I guess if I must choose it would be the fun things that make me laugh. Like this embroidered toilet paper... http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13082746

What do you do in your spare time? I hang out on Etsy, try to get stuff sewn up and read with my daughter.

Do you have anything else you would like to share? Well not really. I would like to say that you really should buy handmade this year. I took the Handmade challenge did you?