BESTeam Feature: Friends with Talent

Big city or small town it's not unusual to lose the internet connection now and then and it's probably not even that unusual for the connection to be lost due to a truck plowing into a utility line.  But having lost internet connectivity while living in big cities and experiencing what it's like dealing with big city internet providers, what is unusual is that in a small town, one can get personal attention pretty much immediately.  Take yesterday. 

For the better part of the day, I was unable to get online.  When I finally got around to calling about it, the conversation went something like this:  "Plainsnet, this is David."  "Hi, David.  Anything going on with the server?  I've been down most of the day."  "Yep.  Truck hit a pole."  "Wow, okay - any idea how long it'll be down?"  "Your guess is as good as mine."  Amazing.  A real person picked up the phone after two rings, and since I'd been to their office a few times to mail packages (they are also the Fed Ex outlet), I could picture the scene as I dialed the number late yesterday afternoon.

And so my day was spent doing those things that otherwise get pushed aside because I'm sitting in front of my computer.  (It was pretty nice, actually, to be disconnected.)  One of things I'd planned on doing was writing up my last BESTeam feature for January.  Which just happens to feature the two women on the team with whom I've formed the closest relationships.

Debbi steers the BESTeam ship and she does it with efficiency, intelligence and most importantly, with humor.  I know that she has many oars in the waters of life - from family to church to crafting to gosh knows what else- and yet she always has a moment for her team members.  I can't even count the number of times I've pestered Debbi with questions.  I've shared just a few items from the shop - Our Home to Yours - that she and her daughter, Amanda, run on Etsy.  Their shop is varied (scarves, hats, jewelry, vintage items), ever-changing and beautifully displays their passions for creating.

Crochet Shawlette.

Chunky Crochet Cowl.

Gold Chain Necklace with Red-orange Beads.

Red Sparkle Ribbon Scarf.

Our Home to Yours
Shop || Blog || Facebook || Twitter

Early on in my blogging career (ahem), I ran across Isobel's shop, Coldham Cuddlies, and - I'm not sure what it was, exactly - but something made me reach out to her.  Perhaps it was that her lovingly made bears, foxes, coyotes (oh yes, we did have an immediate connection over coyotes!) and rabbits recalled my own childhood, surrounded by beloved stuffed animals.  So began a steady email correspondence with Isobel part sounding board, part Dear Abby and all friend. 

Isobel is doing something that is truly unique and sadly, probably, an art that is slowly disappearing.  Every one of her "cuddlies" is destined to become a treasured friend and a family heirloom. Isobel can also repair your over-loved cuddlies.

Baby Bunnies!

Furry Mommy Fox.

Green Velvet Glove Puppet.

Light Brown Plush Bear.

Coldham Cuddlies

Shop || Blog || Facebook || Twitter

As part of my BESTeam commitment, throughout the month I will be posting short features of several of the fabulous shops and talented artisans who comprise the team. What is BESTeam? It's The Boosting Etsy Shops Team and our goal is to give support to each other and to help promote each others' Etsy shops through blogging, Facebook and other social networks. If you are an Etsy shopowner and are interested in learning more about BESTeam, please visit the team page on Etsy or have a look at the BESTeam blog.