featured friday: friendlybrown

Tell us who you are

Hi! I’m Kelly Kramer. I live in Albany, NY, but I’m originally from PA. I’m a proud member of the etsyknitters, and the photographers of Etsy. I graduated from the University of Delaware with a BFA in Fine Art Photography. I love creating handmade items including: knitting, photography, and ceramics.

Other than creating things for etsy, what do you do?

Well, right now I’m unemployed, so not a whole heck of a lot! I’ve really been focusing on handwarmers, trying to get as many made as I can for the holiday season, and retouching the one million photographs I have on my computer!

What first made you want to become an artist?

As far back as I can remember I was creating something. I always wanted to make things with my own hands. I loved make pot holders and little beaded necklaces when I was little.

Describe your creative process and the materials you use

Well, with the handwarmers, the process always begins at the craft store! I spend a good amount of time trying to find the prettiest, softest, and most awesome yarn that I can find. I try to find good color combos that I think that other people will enjoy too. Of course, I always like to pick up some brown!

What handmade possession to you prize the most?

My grandmother would crochet all of her grandchildren a blanket. I don’t know how she had the patience to make so many, but I remember being thrilled when we would go through everything that she would make.

Top 5 websites you visit besides etsy?

Hmm… let’s see!

http://www.facebook.com

http://www.joythebaker.com

http://pitchfork.com

http://www.last.fm

http://www.alloveralbany.com

http://www.jambase.com

That’s 6, isn’t it? Guess I can’t count!

Any advice you have for new etsy users

Just keep doing what you do best. Join some teams and be active on the forums and treasuries. Eventually, you’ll get your first sale, and it’ll be AWESOME!

What are your favorite features of etsy, and what new features would you like to see?

I really like the community feel that you can find on Etsy. I love being able to join teams, and get advice from other users, it’s really helped me stay focused on trying to make the best shop possible. I wish you could have more than 14 tags, but other than that, I can’t think of anything else I’d like to see!

How do you promote your shop/work?

Right now it’s a lot of word of mouth and facebook. I try to be as active on Etsy as much as possible, and try to post feedback in other’s treasuries and the forums.

In ten years, where would you like to be?

I’d love to be making a decent living, doing what I love, whether it is photography, knitting, or ceramics. No big dreams here!