Voted Richmond's Best Local Etsy Shop

I'm very humbled and honored to announce that Love Elaine has been voted (in a 4 way tie with three other amazing shop owners) as Richmond's Best Local Etsy Shop in Richmond Magazine's Annual Best & Worst Issue! You can imagine my surprise and excitement when I received a phone call from a writer at the magazine last month letting me know I had won - I didn't even know I was nominated or in the running! If you haven't been in a while, check out my shop on Etsy.



The paragraph gives a quick summary of all of the businesses, and at the bottom of the paragraph where it talks about Love Elaine it says:

"Love Elaine owner Christen Barber's inspiration for sewing came from her mother and grandmother. Her relatives also inspired the company's name. All the women in her family have the middle name of Elaine, and Love is her Grandmother's maiden name."

Thank you to all of my wonderful family, friends, fans and customers who continue to support me and Love Elaine - this honor wouldn't be possible without all of you!

Also, congrats to fellow local Etsy shop owner and friend (who has taught me a lot!) Linda at Burlap & Blue! Be sure to check out her shop and blog - I'm a regular shopper and visitor of both!

Handmade Valentine's Gifts, Yes Please

Since becoming a seller on Etsy, I've made a conscious effort to support other sellers by giving handmade gifts for all occasions throughout the year. The upside is that the item is still meaningful to the gift recipient, but I didn't necessarily have to make it myself (and to be honest, most of my friends are probably thinking NO MORE BAGS when a celebration for them comes up!). So, for today's post, I wanted to share a few things on my Etsy Favorites list for Valentine's Day. HOMEWORK: If you know my boyfriend, feel free to tell him that anything on this list will be a WONDERFUL gift for Valentine's Day on Monday - I don't even care if its late!

Have a Heart Necklace by Lauren at JerseyGirlDesign

Interesting tid-bit is that Lauren and I were sorority sisters in college at Virginia Tech, we're both Jersey Girls and now we're both successful Etsy sellers! There are lots of great things in her shop and on her blog. Head over there and follow it - she has an item of the week each week with free shipping! AND, she featured yours truly as an Etsy Shop of the Week :) I'm glad I can return the love - and so fitting that Valentine's Day is coming up!

Smitten Dessert Pedestal by Linda at Burlapandblue

I'm completely obsessed with dessert pedestals right now, and I recently purchased 3 pedestals from Burlap and Blue for Mom for Christmas and her birthday - she of course LOVED them! I first met Linda at Chesterfest this past September (although she doesn't remember) and as an experienced and successful Etsy seller and blooger (seriously, follow her blog - you won't regret it, its awesome!) she has taken me under her wing and has been a great craft-mentor!

Fill in the Blank Printable Valentines by Lindsey at eythink

Lindsey is a new seller on Etsy but she is a wonderful graphic designer, as well as a friend! We worked together here in Richmond before she moved to DC to teach and basically just start a new adventure! I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! You can see Lindsey's site here.

Honeysuckle Tula Pearl and Rose Ribbon Necklace by Twillypop

(*Friends Take Note - anything from this shop would be a GREAT gift for me anytime in the future. Just sayin'!)

Shabby Chic Personalized Carved Heart by TheLonelyHeart

Absolutely LOVE this :)