Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Stitch Markers

I just love how necessity is the mother of invention sometimes. Today it proved to be true once again. I'm participating in a craft swap and while I made one item, I didn't want it to seem skimpy. One of those "I participated and all I got was one item while another person got three" things. So, I thought and thought. What else could I make that is practical and pretty? The person I'm making for is a knitter so I thought aha! Stitch markers!

And this is what I came up with:



Here is my other foray. Crocheted jewelry!



I really like it. Next I want to try a necklace. Maybe something will make it into my shop. I was all set to take photos and batteries died! Grr. So that is on the docket for this week.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Holiday Craft Show

Last weekend I had a chance to participate in a local craft show at a dance studio. This is my first real time craft show where the general public could look at my work upclose. Pretty cool!

Needless to say, I did better than I ever thought possible. I know I've been slow on the uptake to update my Etsy site (something I'm going to work on this week now that I'm on break) but I was working up a storm in prep for this show and my work paid off. I sold something like 4-5 scarflettes, a children's scarf, 2 adult scarves, and 2 ceramic pieces. Yay!

I took a photo for posterity at the beginning of the show. I should've taken an after.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Hiatus II

Until further notice (ie winter break) I can't keep up the M-F posting schedule. It sucks, and I really hate I don't have the time to keep this up as I'd like, but I know this is temporary (ie once I finish my final year of college) and then I can restart the Etsy love.

I miss you guys!

Thanks for understanding. I'll post updates as I can in the meantime.

Monday, October 26, 2009

JSGlassArt

I don't know if the fall leaves have peaked by you (they have for us finally in the Midwest) but in the spirit of so much color, I went on a hunt for leaves on Etsy. What caught my attention was a fused glass plate by JS Glass Art. Their application perfectly captures the ever changing color of leaves this time of year. Since Halloween is just around the corner, there are a couple goodies you can check out too.

Black Oak Leaves Plate

Halloween Candle Holder/Candy Dish

On Fire Plate

Friday, October 23, 2009

Hiatus

Hi folks,

I apologize for not keeping this blog current for the past month. Life took over. Between school, work, car accidents, house hunting and other things, it was hard to keep this blog up with the attention it deserved.

So, this weekend I'm getting back on the train to share with you more Etsy goodness especially in time for the holidays! Look for the fun on Monday.

Monday, September 21, 2009

BarefootWeaver

Want to know about BarefootWeaver? Just read her profile on her Etsy page. How fascinating. I just love her creations. She uses thread and yarn in the best way, it seems like the individual threads just shine in her scarves and wrist cuffs. For just starting out in January, she's done very well for herself. Look at what she makes and you'll see why.

Tropical Rainbow Cuff

Sunshine and Shimmer II

Handwoven Chenille Scarf

I just want to reach through the computer screen and touch the chenille scarf. Look at that fuzziness. Mmm. Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Friday Featured Seller - HaveFaithBelieve

Congratulations to HaveFaithBelieve, today's featured seller! HaveFaithBelieve is from Arkansas and has an eclectic variety to her shop. What got my attention were these bright felt flower clips decorated with buttons. I could totally see this paired with a scarf or scarflette to add a little extra glam.

2 Felt Flower Pins

Shell Flower Pendant

2 Felt Flowers

Want to be just like HaveFaithBelieve? Then post a comment to my blog on any post between now and next Thursday and then you'll have a chance to be on here too! Good luck!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Fiber Optic

I was at one of those historical re-enactment villages a couple weeks ago and I learned how to fingerspin wool. I've always liked watching the spinning demonstrations, and while I'd like to move up to that, fingerspun wool is fun too. So, let's take a look at FiberOptic, a great little yarn shop run by a PhD chemist who used their knowledge to form a superior yarn. I have to say, I love the color choices!

Jelly Jelly Roving

Superstition Roving

Ginger Yarn

I just love the intense colors. Can't find that at JoAnn or Michaels.

Last chance to get in on being a featured seller this Friday. Leave a comment! Lucky winner chosen tonight.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Lake Illustration

I know I'm waaaaaaay late to this party, but I just discovered Lake Illustration. Wow! Not only is this guy prolific, but he has great color sense. And celebrity sense.

How did I miss this shop?

Audrey Hepburn

Do All Things With Love

Johnny Cash

I just love the composition of the Johnny Cash print. And the way he looks in the illustration reminds me of Joaquin Phoenix, so that was a good casting call.

Has anyone else seen this shop? What's your favorite? Let me know in the comments below.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

LeeArtHaus

I saw this happy print of a couple owls as it floated past in the time machine and went to investigate. The creator is LeeArtHaus. Her shop is filled with prints of owls, birds, robots and the like in muted earth tones mixed with various bright colors. It may just be me, but methinks they like birds. :)

Snow Owls Pocket Mirror

Rocketship Print

Birds Flying Print

I like the texture and layers. What do you think? Leave a comment below.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Friday Featured Seller - Gretchenmist

Let's travel down under to check out this week's Featured Seller, Gretchenmist. She's a mom to 2 little boys and has a background in graphic design. Her shop is filled with delightful mixed media drawings and collages that are mostly abstract but also draw on nature themes.

You Said It Would Be Good

We All Live Peacefully At the Edge of the Water

Full Moon With Yellow Birds

Very peaceful. What do you think? Leave a comment and get a chance to be a featured seller right here next Friday!

Friday, September 11, 2009

We're Married!

My (now) husband and I were married today. We'll be honeymooning over the weekend a couple hours away from where we live. Should be a fun time.

Regular posts commence after this! Thanks for the patience!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

12Fifteen

It's been awhile since I featured letterpress. What attracted me to 12Fifteen was the cross-stitch letterpress coasters. You could even use the coasters to send little notes if you can't bear to put a glass on the prettiness. The texture and color choices are so appealing. Her shop also offers prints as well.

Folksy Flower Coasters

Birch Morning Print

Cross-Stitch Coasters

I love the intricate detail and color choices. Lovely!
Today is the last day to get in on Friday Featured Seller love, so if you want to be featured, be sure to leave a comment.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

TraciDawn78

I love pretty pretty glass beads like the kind TraciDawn78 makes. The colors and patterns are so beautiful.

River

Santorini

Breeze

Love the pictures and the colors. There are so many other beads where this came from so check out her shop!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Bearduck

Do you have an iPhone? Wish you had an iPhone? Can't pony up the money to look like the commercials each month? Well never fear. You can have iPhone magnets. iPhone what you say? Bearduck has all your cute and quirky organizational needs, between iPhone magnets, paperclips, Mario Bros. pushpins and more.

iPhone Magnets

Mario Bros. Pushpins

Hostess Cupcake Pushpins

Doesn't that put a smile on your face? I know it cheers me up. Check out her shop!

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

In Process

I just started school (going on week 3) and after a horrible no good very bad day on Friday, the blog fell down to low on my priority list. However, I'll be working on getting more posts put up so I'll be ahead of the curve.

Thanks for the patience!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

FloresDelSol

Wow. September 1st. Can someone explain to me how that happened?
Usually I welcome the beginning of fall as a relief of the ridiculously hot humid weather of August. I feel that my summer was really short so I'm surprised to see that we're entering the last quarter of the year so soon. Time to embrace it. Think of all the cute sweaters to wear, the hot chocolate or mulled cider to drink, and of course, autumn leaves to admire. Talk about a fleeting thing, autumn leaves are so pretty yet so transitory. Unless you have a shop like Flores Del Sol, where you can preserve the beauty of autumn leaves and flowers for months to come. All of you Etsy newbies, come look at her photography. I love how the bursts of color contrast against the sleek white backgrounds. What a way to command attention!

Harvest Oak

Woodland Moss


Harvest Centerpiece

I love the combination of the white milk glass (a personal favorite) and the bright color. How stunning. Check out the rest of her shop, you won't be disappointed.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Mad Men Monday - All About the Men

Another great episode of Mad Men aired last night, and it was a really great showcase of 60s style. The hats, the dresses, the skinny ties that were in vogue back then.
I featured womens' style last week, so this week I thought it only fair to look at what Etsy had to offer for vintage mens' style.

Vintage Gray Plaid and Stripes Silk Tie Set - Mousetrap Vintage

Vintage Men's Brown Wool Car Coat - shopgoodgrace

Vintage Herringbone Fedora - Gothabilly13

I can totally imagine Don Draper wearing that fedora. Tune in next week to see what direction I think of next for Mad Men Monday style.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Friday Featured Seller - JLR Designs

Wow, it's Friday already? Time to pick a seller to feature this week from the comments and it is JLR Designs! Congrats! She creates handmade jewelry and is based out of sunny Phoenix.

So Sophisticated

Purple Fluorite Earrings

Fall Leaves Necklace

Very nice! Congrats to JLR Designs! If you want to be just like her, be sure to leave a comment and support your Etsy community.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

BoutiqueBelle

Boutique Belle is actually the brainchild of Maggie Cook, a London knitwear designer. Her background is pretty fascinating:

"For the past ten years I have been designing and making fabulously feminine knitwear and accessories and have been lucky enougth to win a stand at London Fashion Week, as well as having my designs featured in many National newspapers and magazines.
Most of my collections are short runs or one offs to which I sell online as well as wholesale to boutiques around the U.K."

And the results truly are fab. What caught my eye were these knitwear corsages. I love the depth and color. The knit sweaters like the one below are also lovely too.

Stunning Wool and Mohair Jacket

Large Handmade Knitted Flower Corsage

Knitted Wedding Shrug with Flower

Very nice work. Check out her shop and let me know what you think.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Ambrosia and Bliss

This week has been full of stress because it is the beginning of school! Parents, children, college students and teachers all know this time well. As for myself (and my missing post, sorry), I need a stress ball. So I turned to Etsy and found Ambrosia and Bliss out of Wisconsin. She makes stress balls filled not with goo, but calming herbs and scents. Plus, she also offers yarn to use for your own projects while you de-stress. Bonus!

Crabapple Yarn - Suffolk/Hampshire

Serenity Sax - Neopolitan

Serenity Sax - Pacifica

Please stop by her shop and check it out. Any purchase you make will help benefit charity. And how sweet is it to de-stress while you've done a nice thing?

See you tomorrow!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Mad Men Monday - Let's Hear it For the Girls!

I think I'm in the mood for a new feature - Mad Men Mondays. For those of you who don't know, Mad Men is a fabulous show airing on AMC Sunday nights. I love the show. I love the fashion. I love the casting. Since Season 3 just started 2 weeks ago, I've decided to give a shout out to Etsy sellers who feature fabulous items in the spirit of Mad Men. Today I decided to feature Audrey and Grace, creator of lovely dresses from the 60s era. Betty Draper fab anyone?

Custom Little Black Audrey Dress

Custom Silk 60s Breakfast at Tiffany's Cocktail Party Dress

Elegant Custom Made Dropped Waist Swing Dress

Love it. Check back next Monday to see what I'll feature next week inspired by Mad Men.