Remember a few weeks ago, when I posted a two-part tutorial on block printing? I realized about halfway through writing the second part of the tutorial that most of my regular readers are not going to take the time to learn that particular skill. (If you do, I'd love to hear from you!) I mean, I could barely get through writing it, and I'm passionate about this stuff! Let's just say that some arts and crafts are easier than others.
While I was realizing this, I also realized how much I enjoy making these prints. So I decided to open an 
It's insanely easy to open an Etsy shop. It's not so easy to stock it, get it ready, and put all the marketing in place so people can find you. That's why I've been a bit absent from the blog lately, but I think I've got a good start now, and can get back to juggling both.
(If you've never heard of Etsy.com before, you should check it out. It's an amazing online marketplace for all sorts of handmade items. It is THE place to find cool, unique, artistic gifts and items for your house, or even just interesting and unusual things to look at.)
The hardest part (for me) of opening a store is picking a name. I stayed up nights thinking about this. (It's OK. It beats all the other things I'm usually staying up thinking about.) I thought about using the blog's name, but since this is a slightly different endeavor, I wanted something fresh and new. Something that evoked a feeling of home and permanency. Everything I do creatively is about making my house a home, and creating a comfortable, safe, and inspiring environment for my family. So I chose the name "Ever Evangeline" after the name of my street. This is home for me. And while it's the name that describes my current physical home, it also goes all the way back to my Cajun family's roots. "Evangeline" is the title of the epic poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow that traces part of the origin of the Cajun people. So I love the name for its past and current references to my own home.
For now, I'm concentrating on tea towels, but I hope to expand to all sorts of other printed pieces in the future. I design, carve, and print all the pieces myself. (I don't make the actual tea towels - sewing is NOT one of my passions.) I really enjoy each part of the process, and I hope that joy somehow translates into the pieces themselves and blesses the homes of whoever buys them.
I'd love for you to drop by and take a look at the shop. I'll be adding new designs all the time, as well as taking custom orders by request. So if you think of something you'd like to see, let me know. 
Also, I'd be so honored if you'd check out (and possibly "like") my new facebook page dedicated to the shop, and share it with your friends. This is where I'll be sharing shop updates, sales, specials, etc. It will be colorful and fun, and I promise not to bore you!
And finally... Thank you. Without your encouragement and feedback over the last couple of years, I don't think I'd ever have gotten the courage to take on something like this. I truly appreciate each and every one of you!
Sandey says
Congratulations, Meredith!!
Meredith says
Thank you Sandey!
Johanna Sturdy says
woohoo! Sounds like another fun adventure 🙂
Meredith says
Yep, never a dull moment around here!
halfeatenmind says
Very cute illustrations on the Ever Evangeline teatowels...are they caravans/trailers?
Vijay
Meredith says
Thank you Vijay! Yes, the aqua one is an interpretation of a caravan-type camper, and the orange and green are actual representations of an Apache popup camper, like the one I used to own.
gino says
Fantastic news Meredith.
Meredith says
Thanks Gino!
jacquiegum says
I'm so excited for you Meredith...and for me too...I just ordered a towel:) Liked the FB page, too. I wish you all the best success with this...what a wonderful idea:)
Meredith says
Thank you Jacquie! You just made my day!
Alice (@Vidocq_CC) says
Looks great! I have a friend considering opening an Etsy store. Your post might help me to actually do it.
Meredith says
Thanks Alice! I'd be happy to answer Etsy questions, with what little I've learned so far...
Catarina says
Like your idea of setting up an Etsy shop! Nice illustrations!!
Meredith says
Thank you Catarina!
Donna Janke says
Good luck with your Etsy shop. You have great designs. I'd be interested in hearing what marketing techniques you find work for you.
Meredith says
Thank you Donna, I'll be sure to let you know once I figure that out!
Ken Dowell says
I have a photo on my wall of an old shut down theater from somewhere in Louisiana with the name Evangeline on the marquee. Good luck with the shop!
Meredith says
Ken, that's so cool! Thanks for stopping by...
lenie5860 says
Congratulations and best wishes Meredith. I think this is wonderful. Is facebook the only way we can access the Etsy Shop because I'm not on Facebook and not ready to go there yet but do want to visit the shop.
Meredith says
Thank you Lenie, I'd love for you to visit! You can access the shop directly on Etsy at this address: http://everevangeline.etsy.com or by going to etsy.com and searching for "everevangeline".
(It's also hyperlinked in a couple places in the body of this post if that's easier.)
Arleen says
Good luck with Etsy Shop. I buy high end yarn from someone on Etsy all the time. Etsy is becoming more popular and I have a good feeling about shopping there.
Meredith says
Thanks Arleen. It's a really neat place to shop and I love knowing you're dealing directly with the artisans.
Jeri Walker-Bickett (@JeriWB) says
That's fantastic. Good luck with the Etsy shop. I've only bought one thing from Etsy and it was from a former student. She sketched a picture of my dog that I could give to my husband for Christmas. I've liked your page and will keep an eye out for what you add to your shop.
Meredith says
Thank you Jeri! That sounds like a great use of Etsy. 🙂
Susan Cooper/findingourwaynow.com says
That is awesome Meredith. I do plan on ordering a custom towel, when I figure out what I want on it... LOL. I also just liked the FB page. I wishing you the best of success... not that you'll need it. :-)))
Meredith says
Thank you Susan! Your encouragement means so much!
Tim says
Congratulations Meredith, that is very exciting stuff. I am sure you must be busy these days but in a way that is the best kind. Heading over to you FB page now. All the best. Tim
Meredith says
Thank you Tim!
andleeb says
It was nice idea to set up Etsy Shop. I have liked your facebook page and it was nice to see caravan camper and many other prints on the tea towels. I am happy for you and all the best.
Meredith says
Thank you Anna! 🙂
Pamela Chollet says
Meredith you have such a refreshing and joyous feel about you. Your love of life oozes off the screen. This is one of my "I'll never be able to dos" . I envy all you Etsy folks. Such talent creating and expressing through design. I tired painting a room once, 12 monkeys would have done a better job. I love these towels and I'm hitting your Etsy and Facebook pages.
Meredith says
Thank you Pamela! Your comment cracked me up. I'm going to think of 12 monkeys next time I'm painting a room!
angelabhobbs2009 says
That is so exciting Meredith! I'm fascinated by people using their skills and knowledge to start a business. I'm going to be checking this out. Those towels with the camper image are super cute! Congratulations!
Meredith says
Thank you so much Angela!
bolaaka says
Well done Meredith! I'm a big fan of Etsy too!
Meredith says
Thank you Bola!
Eve Koivula says
Beautiful designs Meredith! I love them! Good luck with your shop!
I actually had an Etsy shop at some point, selling vintage bags, shoes and clothes.
Meredith says
Thank you Eve!
bindu saju says
Congratulations on your new adventure. How is the business at Etsy? You are very talented and i am pretty sure, you are going to be successful.
Meredith says
Thank you Bindu! You should check it out for your designs, if you ever want to sell them. It's a great place for artists.
jbutler1914 says
Congrats on your Etsy shop. I have a big cartel store so I understand that it takes time to get things up and running.
Meredith says
Thanks! It's definitely time consuming, but it keeps me out of trouble. 🙂
maxwell ivey says
hi Meredith; glad to see you back on your blog. I had wondered where you went, but being a poor friend; I didn't bother to write to find out. I'm sorry about that. I'll do better. You have been a ardent supporter of my blog and efforts in general. As you know by now I've been spending a lot of time lately working on my first ebook a short motivational book sharing my experiences and the life lessons I've learned from them. I'm just as nervous as you were about opening the shoppe. and tea towels sounds great. I hope etsi is available all over. I wish you all the best with the new venture. I know a lot of people like to have things like this in their home but don't want to do them themselves or just can't. thanks so much for sharing and take care, max
Meredith says
Thanks for all the encouragement Max!
Ajay says
WOW! Really interesting venture. I am impressed how you manage so many things.
Wish you all the best.
Ajay
Meredith says
Thanks Ajay! Not sure how well I'm managing, judging by the state of the laundry pile at my house, but it sure is more fun creating stuff than doing laundry. 🙂
Welli says
Congrats Meredith and all the best with your Etsy shop. New concept for me which I have learnt from you. I was not aware of that type of shop. I am inspired by your breaking out into doing something you love.
Meredith says
Thank you Welli! Glad to introduce you to something new.
Krystyna Lagowski says
Congratulations on your Etsy store! Love the block printed tea towels, I think you've got a hit on your hands. I especially love the Airstream trailer - very cool and retro. We had an Etsy pop-up show here in Toronto a few weeks back, and the talent was phenomenal. I think it's the greatest concept ever - not only does it provide gifted people like yourself an avenue for selling your goods, it gives picky consumers like me a place to browse ... and dream ...
Meredith says
Thank you Krystyna, that's very kind. I'm so inspired by all the things I see on Etsy. It really is an amazing place!
Beth Niebuhr says
I have friends that have Etsy stores but didn't really know how it works. Good for you to start your own.
Meredith says
Thank you Beth!
niekkamcdonald says
Congrats! Happy to see you do this. I am very familiar with Etsy. I don't know the process to get it up and running but still a step in the right direction for you.
Meredith says
Thanks Niekka, I have a lot to learn!
CoachNotesBlog (@CoachNotesBlog) says
Congratulations, Meredith, on starting your new adventure. It's pretty courageous to not rely on your established blog name and instead choose a store name that reflects this facet of you. (Hats off!)
~ Vernessa Taylor (@CoachNotesBlog)
Meredith says
Thanks Vernessa! The naming thing was hard, but in the end it boiled down to wanting to start something new. Hope it's not a mistake! 🙂