May 22nd 2007:intothefire.etsy.com

1. When we were setting up our brick and mortar pottery studio/store, we wanted a catchy name. We read an article in Ceramics Monthly that was titled "Up From The Earth, Into The Fire". The full title was too much, but we liked Into The Fire. The other name in the running that we didn't choose was Glazed and Confused. I still love that one, but it would not work in our small market.

2. We joined Etsy in June of last year, but I didn't list very much at first. My husband and I were a little shy about putting ourselves out there. We also weren't sure what we should be listing. We have so much variety and we were afraid it would look too cluttered. At first we listed more crafty items thinking no one would buy a ceramic drum! We finally decided to fill our store with things we love and not worry so much about whether or not higher priced items would sell.

3. The snake puppets evolved out of neccessity. Our 5 year old son wanted to sock puppet, but he had a hard time manipulating adult sized puppets. Once I found a pattern he could work, I have really enjoyed playing with the fabric and making each one unique. I like that my son influences the process and we can work together as he tells me what he does and doesn't like.

4. Now that I feel more like I understand Etsy and how it all works, my goal is to really promote our shop. I hope to connect with a mentor - I feel like I have floundered without one. I believe in our work and feel if we can get people looking, we'll sell more and more. We are throwing new pottery all the time, adding to our line of nursery art, and we have a number of drums in the works.

5. Indie shop interviews give small businesses and craftsmen exposure they would otherwise not get. I like to read them in order to discover what is out there that I am missing out on. I love that there is an entire world happening that so many people know nothing about: people with amazing talent who craft in their spare time, artists struggling to make a living, and all of the people in between that make incredible objects that need to be loved and appreciated.

You can find intothefire.etsy.com here. Item to check out .Earthenware Pendant