Scarves are my favorite chilly weather accessory. I've had the same black cashmere scarf with hot pink stripes for a few years now ~ it's probably time to change up my look. On my Holiday "Wish List" this year will be something from Crickets' Scarf Boutique on Etsy. All of her beautiful creations are handknit from cruelty-free, vintage and novelty yarns. They are colorful, unique and totally fabulous! They're even meant to be worn year-round. I recently discovered this Seller in the Etsy forums, where she can often be found handing out valuable tips and advice to other Etsy sellers. It is that spirit of generosity that prompted me to find out more about Celeste, the super sweet gal behind Cricket's Creations. Below is what she recently shared with me:
Tell us a little about *you*:
My name is Celeste and I hand knit luxury, designer fashion scarves! I live in the Golden Circle near the Grand Canyon, so my tagline is, “Handcrafted in the Heart of Canyon Country, USA!” Because I live in the high desert (it’s either very hot or very cold), my designs are for year-round wear. You can even see a pic of me modeling one of my Skinny Summer Boas in 90+ degree weather, outside here.
Tell us about your craft ~ How did you get started? What keeps you motivated and inspired?
I took an elective class when I was eight years old. From there, I studied knitting books and tried out patterns. Now I design all my own work and can get really creative!
My muse, inspiration & support is my sweetie, Nicky. I made my very first scarf for him. He loved it so much that he said, "You could sell these and people would love 'em!" And since August 2007 I’ve sold over 300 scarves, so I guess he was right. :)
I love to play with texture and color, and typically make 2-3 scarves a night, whether for custom orders, special requests from the over 10 retailers I supply, scarves to sell online (I offer over 100 different styles, colors & thicknesses), or getting ready for craft fairs & expos. If you’re a professional crafter, too, please let me know if I can offer support or advice on how to succeed.
How did you first hear about Etsy?
I saw it in the forums of the Crafty Critter online community for crafters who care about animals.
What is the best piece of advice that you could give to a new Etsy seller?
I could never choose just one piece of advice (as a Gemini, I find that an impossible request, lol)! Here’s a compilation of links to my success tips.
Time to toot your own horn ~ tell us about your proudest crafting achievement (either on or off Etsy)
I think that so far, my biggest thrill came when Better Homes & Gardens bought a scarf a few months back for a photo shoot! Please see the next question for details…
Tell us about your featured shop item ~
I felt like I'd landed on the moon when Better Homes & Gardens magazine bought one of my pieces for a June 2008 photo shoot (it will probably appear in one of their Fall 2008 issues)! If you'd like to see the scarf they chose, please go here. Because it was a one of a kind, I made this new scarf *almost exactly* like the original. The difference is that the new design is thicker, warmer, sturdier & includes some new yarns. There is even a bit of sparkle in one of the chocolate yarns.
We all know there is Life outside of Etsy ~ what do you like to do in your “spare” time?
When I'm not designing and knitting, I happily work for Best Friends Animal Society. I also enjoy gardening & Bikram yoga. See ya 'round, I'm looking forward to learning more about YOU!
Thanks for your insight, Celeste!!
You are being treated to a glimpse of two pieces that are so brand spankin' new, they haven't even been listed in my shop yet! It's not like me to jump the gun, but I couldn't wait to share these. Be sure to check my shop in the coming week for them to appear.
The above bracelet features 6mm Swarovski crystal pearls in that shade of coral that is hotter than ever. Both bracelets are hand knotted by yours truly and have gorgeous filigree locking clasps. They are timeless and simple in design, yet feminine and elegant.
This bracelet was created using 6mm Swarovski pearls in that sumptuous shade called "Platinum". It looks so rich, doesn't it? I am most excited because I finally made some hand knotted pieces. I attempted to teach myself pearl knotting a year ago, but didn't get very far with it. After making it a goal for 2010, I finally sat down and put my mind to learning and mastering this technique, and I am enjoying it. I love the look and feel of a knotted piece of jewelry ~ you can be sure there will be more to come in the near future!
