Here’s a recap of the “sparks” generated on our blog this week.
Recharge your mind while you relax and unwind!

Last Saturday

Johanna Draper experimented with Effective Treasury Commenting.

Amber Jordan demonstrated how YouTube can be an effective promotional tool.

And Pepe Newton’s latest installment of Eco-Spark featured amazing art made from recycled metal.

On Sunday

Laura Kuhlmann contemplated how her home office could be transformed from creative chaos to creative sanctuary.

Brenda Salzano interviewed Elsie Collins, the artist behind Thistle Cottage Studio.

Amber shined the Handmade Spark spotlight on some of our newest mini-site sellers.

And we answered the mind-boggling question of how we get all of your information from Etsy.

On Monday

Mallory , aka Miss Malaprop, profiled Sigh Co. Graphics:  “t-shirt designers, printers and purveyors of all things geeky, gothy, and a little bit twisted.”

We shared a tutorial just in time for fall on making a vintage book day planner by Cathe Holden.

Emily Orpin waxed poetic about the classic martini, and shared many Etsy finds for your next cocktail party.

And Laura learned that “portmonetka” means purse in Polish, as she featured members of the POLetsy team from Poland.

On Tuesday

Laura woke up that morning wondering if her parents were going to get a Twitter account.

Laura recollected her very amateur attempt at pottery, while highlighting many of the pottery and ceramic sellers on Handmade Spark.

Viviana Izzo planted the seeds of her new herb garden while thinking about the seed money that started her handmade business.

And just in time for school, we unveiled our newest Gallery: Best Dressed Kids.

On Wednesday

Lisa LeBlanc introduced us to a very special family making music to fund research for a rare genetic disorder.

Laura revealed won one of her top turn-offs, as she offered tins tips to get your Etsy shop ready for the fall season. (You will just have to read the post to understand why there are crossed out words in the previous sentence!)

Emily looked up to her “Heroes of Hue” in Part 2 of her Creative Spark: True Colors series.

And we continued to answer the burning questions that keep you awake at night: What Happens to My Credit Card Number After I Enter It In To Handmade Spark?

On Thursday

Robin Norgren made a game plan to focus her creative energies in Moving Forward When You Feel Like You Are Behind.

Amber gave us some tips on how to stand out from the crowd and define our own brand.

Naomi Morgan showed off the finest examples of good lighting in product shots from our Handmade Spark sellers.

Laura found a new research study comparing the World of Warcraft gaming community with the Etsy artist community.

And we shared our Thursday Blog Links, with fun stories including the designer behind the never-popular Twitter “fail whale” and how Mad Men actress Christina Hendricks models for her best friend’s Etsy shop.

On Friday

Amber kicked off our morning with a mini-feature of five Handmade Spark sellers in Five for Friday.

Amber and Laura both offered up the many reasons to check in daily with us on Handmade Spark, and the many ways that you can interact with us. Our blog is a two-way street, so definitely read this post and tell us what you want!

We took our own advice and spruced ourselves up a bit for the new season with Handmade Spark: New Layout, More Ways to Show You Off!

And Amber put together a very sophisticated look for a night on the town with her Kaboodle style board titled Butterflies and Black Lace. Trés chic!

Handmade Spark sellers featured this week

Sassafras Vitrolica

Lotus Dreamz

Uncorked

Camamiel

Metamorphosi

Kanokwalee

Make it a fabulous weekend!

~Laura Kuhlmann