First, Good Morning and Welcome to all new followers from Mint Green with Envy and wicked darlings from Pagan Culture! I am sponsoring a giveaway here and here!

Now, what is a BNR you say?! Only the most addicting and most awesome Etsy thing EVER!!! At it's most basic a BNR, which stands for Buy-N-Replace, is a treasury of lovely shops; you purchase something from one of said lovely shops and an item from your shop replaces the shop that just got a sale. It's a fantastic way to get exposure and network and add views and hearts and go holiday shopping and meet some SUPER people!

One of my dearest BNR/BNS friends from 'over there' is Silvia of VerityUnMondoAParte. Her style is fabulous and her friendship is uplifting. It's also very nice to start selling on Italy time, as it makes for a long sales day!

pink cuffs cotton crochet - very romantic girl

Is there a special place your creative inspiration comes from?

Silvia: Yes, there is a special place: the woods near my house...I love nature, the trees, the parfum of flowers, the colors of all I can see in my wood...but I can get my creative inspiration everywhere, in everytime and in everything ^_^

How did you get started in BNR's/BNS's?

Silvia: I started with thanks to one of my friends (gufobardo) that introduce me to this "magic world". I think that this is a great way to promote my shop and to meet very nice people ^_^

Next let me introduce you to Christine of SoapSudsBabyDuds. She is almost always running a BNR or BNS (Buy-n-Stay) and has even started her own team to help get the word out about the awesome opportunities that await etsy-ians in a BNR.

Watermelon - Goats Milk Handmade Soap - 4oz

Is there a special place your creative inspiration comes from?

Christine: I have always been pretty creative but I didnt really start doing much with it until my boys came along. They really inspired me and with my baby blankets I like to let them help pick fabric, which they love to do. And they always sample my scents for soap to approve!!!

How did you get started in BNR's/BNS's?

Christine: I really just stumbled upon a BNR one day and jumped right in. I went a little crazy at first with them but I love participating in them and I love curating my own!

Maureen of Paper2Roses is one of my Northern BNR buddies. Her paper-crafting skills make beautiful blooms as final products and also for altered-artists to use in their creations!

Vintage Crinkle Hand-sewn Satin Flowers

Is there a special place your creative inspiration comes from?

Maureen: From the time I was very young, I was always creating. Papers, Fabrics & Fibers always triggers ideas! My ideas come to me during a long walk, a day in the mountains, or just simply when things are quiet and I am doing my yoga! I am always inspired and motivated with comments from my customers! They are the best!

How did you get started in BNR's/BNS's?

Maureen: My friend Lorenda at EnchantedAcresDesign first invited me to a BNR. Through visiting with the other Etsians, during a bnr/bns, your family of friends begins to grow. Its a great place to see wonderful new items, have a nice afternoon chatting, and having fun all at the same time. There are BNR specials, and I like that I can buy supplies from other Etsians.

I would be severely remiss if I did not share with you Martine of 2fillesdunord. I believe my first sale ever was in one of her BNR's and she is an exceptional curator! She has also started a team to help us promote each other.

Verdâtre- filigree bracelet with

flower and vintage buttons

Is there a special place your creative inspiration comes from?

Martine: My creative inspiration comes from late nights with many glasses of wine, hours of watching Fashion television and an (admitted) shopping addiction. And, of course, I can't forget- my great-grandmother's and grandmother's button collections! I fell in love as soon as I saw them. I love to imagine where they used to be... the outfits... the stories... They are heirlooms to me.

How did you get started in BNR's/BNS's?

Martine: Honestly, I completely forgot how I got started in BNRs and BNSs! I think I might just have stumbled across them. The addiction is bad when you can't remember its source! Let's just say I did my part and converted many new addicts!

Our next guest always starts with the most sparkly (and typically pink) treasury BNR's. LPK (as she's known) of LittlePinkKangaroo is a bright and shiny lady with loads of paper talents!

With Love Pink Floral Altered Mini book

Is there a special place your creative inspiration comes from?

LPK: My inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere, usually from things that move me. I could be doing laundry or out grocery shopping , jogging outside or even just sitting in my room, great ideas come to mind. I keep a small journal with me at all times. When those ideas hit me, I write them down right away, while everything is still fresh in my mind. I love being able to turn ideas into reality. I'm very passionate about what I do and being able to share my passion with others brings joy to my life.

How did you get started in BNR's/BNS's?

LPK: I was browsing through treasuries one day and came across all these BNR's / BNS's but was confused on how to get started so I left. A few weeks after that, a good etsy friend invited me to join her BNR and I have been hooked ever since. I must say, I have met so many wonderful people through participating these BNR's. I feel truly blessed.

Tara, at BuyHerBeads, is a delightful careing person who always has the invites to the best BNR's. She'll also always follow your invitation too and if nothing else, drop in and say 'HI!' She always does her best to support her fellow BNR'rs and have fun with us at the same time.

Like Pink Disco Lemonade

Is there a special place your creative inspiration comes from?

Tara: I am inspired by Nature, History, Science, and Passion. My family has always created things and had productive hobbies. I have had many loves, but jewelry making beats them all! Creating with stone beads and wire is happy play therapy for me. I delight in seeing the supplies turn into a brand new creation. My creation! I love spreading the love one stone at a time too. My etsy bead shop allows me to gather more beads and supplies with which to play. I started making jewelry almost 10 years ago and started my first etsy shop in 2007. Oh, how I love etsy and the people of etsy!

How did you get started in BNR's/BNS's?

Tara: I stumbled onto the BNRs and BNSs on the old etsy forums. They said "Games" and I just had to check it out. I love games! Card games, board games, written games, oral games, video games. I fell instantly in love with the etsy games. I cannot express enough the joy the games have given me and the valued friends I have found. I lost my computer for a while, and had to leave etsy and the games. I am back now full force. I adore my game friends and their fabulous shops, supplies, and creations! Always an opportunity to meet new people and share new ideas. And Get Exposure. :D

If you want to find more about these fine ladies, please visit the links below:

Silvia of VerityUnMondoAParte:

Christine of SoapSudsBabyDuds:

Maureen of Paper2Roses:

Martine of 2fillesdunord:

LPK of LittlePinkKangaroo:

Tara of BuyHerBeads:

9 comments:

xoxo TaraJune 24, 2011 at 8:56 AM
WOW! What a wonderful blog and feature! I'm thrilled to be here and excited to check out the other featured peeps! Off to share as well! Thank you much, Kat!
Melissa WalkerJune 24, 2011 at 12:03 PM
Kat, great learning post for the BNR culture on Etsy. I had no idea what it was until I met the Time Travelers but I absolutely love participating in them. If only I had more time, I could become a BNR addict very easily!
Mary DavisJune 24, 2011 at 12:30 PM
Great post - thanks for sharing info on all these great shops!
Roselynn
Kat of EmKatCreationsJune 24, 2011 at 12:56 PM
Thanks for visiting everyone! I LOVE the BNR's, it's how I get all my christmas shopping done :)
UnknownJune 24, 2011 at 2:19 PM
thanks soooo much dear Kat!!!I love bnr's world, there are more nice shops and more sweet sellers (like you ^_^)

A big hug from Tuscany!!!

silvia
LittlePinkKangarooJune 24, 2011 at 2:52 PM
Thank you so much lovely Kat for including my shop in the feature. What an honor (: I have met so many weonderful people, including you through BNR (:
LittlePinkKangarooJune 24, 2011 at 2:53 PM
Such a lovely Feature ! It made my Friday !
Thank you so much for including my shop. What an honor, Kat (:
I have met so many wonderful people through BNR, including you (:
EnchantedAcresDesignJune 25, 2011 at 9:34 PM
I LOVED reading about all of the talented ladies here!! Fabulous Blog Kat:) I think BNR's are the best, I have met some of the neatest people and great friends!!
loves and hugs:) Lorenda
UnknownJune 25, 2011 at 11:09 PM
Thankyou so much Kat for the feature. I loved reading the others stories, and see their treasures! It's a great community to be surrounded by. BNR/BNS are so enjoyable. You are so right, a great place to get shopping done!
Your blog is wonderful!
Maureen