Featured Artist: AnnieRexic!

Proud Mama talking here! You must get your Annie Rexic tee shirt RIGHT NOW! Go to Annie Rexic's shop on Etsy and order Miranda's art work tee shirt. At the very least, take a look around the shop and click on one of the tee shirt listings to see a very cool shout out to Miranda's work. Support the little artists!

This Year's Girl

I am smitten! When logging into Etsy yesterday, right there on the front page was the loveliest romantic digital art I've seen in awhile that was affordable. So I began browsing this little shop, and fell in love.

Now, I like fantasy art a lot - fairies, dragons, wizards, space, bare trees, etc. But I never buy any because it would not "go" in any room in my house without it looking my bedroom when I was 13. Really? Should I care? Probably not, but I guess I kind of do. So when I saw this print on the Front Page, I was intrigued. It has the elements of fantasy - digital, dark and sort of monochromatic, ethereal; but there aren't any typical fantasy subjects.



So, what do you think? I bought 6. I couldn't help it. They will be gracing the walls of my craft room. I can't till they get here. Does anyone know how to mat?

Visit This Years Girl today for beautiful digital art that makes you feel like you are really there.

Creations By Celeste!

First of all, let me say that chat rooms can be a wonderful thing. That's where I met this wonderful, kind new Etsy artist. She makes the most wonderful little hair things - barrettes and bows. Very very cute.

I want you to check out her store because 1. it's NEW!, 2. she's very generous (sent me a lovely sample that I plan on giving to my as yet unborn NIECE!, and 3. it's beautiful work!



Give her some love! If you don't have daughters, you probably have sisters, cousins, friends with little girls, fine hair yourself -find a female and deck them out in Creations By Celeste!

Big Sky!

So I was searching around for a Father's Day gift for Kevin and I found Big Sky! Ha ha, what a great little shop! I did realize that for Mother's Day I got dinner out, so I will probably just take Kevin out for dinner. But if I were in the buying him something mood, I would probably shop here :) Check it out:




Fun, fun stuff!

Weekly Giveaway!

It's time for the Weekly Giveaway, sponsored this week by Wanderlust Designs Photography! The prize will be an 8 x 10 print taken by Heather Kribbs in her various travels. It is titled "There Is Always Hope".


This time, there will be 2 components to your entry. First go to WDP and take a look around. Then come back here, and let me know:
1. What your favorite item is in Heather's shop
2. What the prize photo means to you, and
3. How to reach you if you are the winner

Photography can evoke so many different emotions from different people all viewing the same scene. I am fascinated to know how this photo speaks to you.

The contest ends on Friday, April 25, 2008 at 11:59pm ET. The winner will be selected, notified, and posted here on Saturday, April 26th. Thank you all for playing and GOOD LUCK!

Featured Artist - Wanderlust Designs Photography

Heather Kribbs over at Wanderlust Designs has been gracious enough to sponsor this week's Giveaway (which will start tomorrow)! So, get a nice, hot cuppa something and meet Heather....

1. Tell us a little bit about who you are and your life up to this point in time.
I'm 26 years old and I have two loves in life - travelling and photography. I've been lucky to indulge both of them as much as possible - I studied abroad in Australia for 4 months while in college, and more recently, I just returned from 8 months in Europe. I was working in Edinburgh, Scotland for six months, and then traveling around Europe. Now I'm back in the States, trying to decide how soon I can plan my next adventure! My love for travel definitely fuels my love for photography. I don't feel complete unless i have my camera with me, documenting all the cool and unusual stuff I see.

2. Besides your fantasy creative life, what else are doing currently?
I'm currenly planning my upcoming move to Colorado, and job hunting!! Besides trying to make that a reality, I'm working at a hotel, banquet and conference centre. I worked here for 3 years before moving to Scotland, and my employers were kind enough to let me come back as a temp. It's interesting because it's always varied - most of the time I work in the sales department, planning weddings and social events. But sometimes I fill in at the front desk, getting to meet people from around the world, and all walks of life. I just gave them my two week notice, so we'll see what happens next!!

3. What do you offer in your Etsy Shop?
I offer prints - both matted and unmatted, in sizes from 4x6 - 11x14, and i also make notecards.

4. Where do you create?
The good thing about photographhy is that you can create anywhere. I don't do studio or portrait photography, so I just carry my camera and equipment with me everywhere, and end up seeing the world through my lens. I use my laptop for my digital darkroom, so that's convenient, as well.

5. Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from the world around me. I love vibrant colors, unusual sights, anything that makes me smile, anything visual, anything that makes me look twice, anything that catches my eye. Photography for me is the representation of the world around me. A visual statement of my place in the world. My favorite quote is “The way to know life is to love many things” ~Vincent Van Gogh. I love this quote because it reflects my style of photography. I love many things, and I love to photograph everything I see, everything I enjoy.

6. How did you learn how to do your craft?
I took one photography class way back in high school, that opened my eyes to the joy of photography, but other than that, I'm basically self-taught. I bought a digital-SLR, and am still trying to learn everything I can do!

7. How do you promote your wares?
'Promotion' is still pretty new to me, since I've only opened my Etsy shop a couple of months ago. My signature on my email account announces for everyone: "I'd love if you'd check out my photography at http://hlkpparis.etsy.com. That message goes to anyone I email. I also have a flickr account, and a business myspace, and I'll use my personal myspace and facebook to mention stuff. I've made up business cards, and try to pass them out whenever possible. I'm on Etsy all the time, in the forums and chatting.

8. What has been the most important lesson you've learned since you started selling your own creations?
The most important lesson is corny, but true - you need to believe in yourself. That kind of manifests itself in many different ways--you have to believe in your work enough to price it correctly, and to promote it, and to know that you can do anything you put your mind to.

9. Is there any advice you can give others who are just starting out?
Don't be afraid to ask for help! For me, the most amazing part of Etsy is the great community feeling. I'm constantly meeting new people, through the Forums, and my POE
(Photographers of Etsy) and CASTTEAM's (Christian Artists)Street Teams.

10.Do you have any favorite Etsy artists you'd like to promote here?
Oh, my! Too many!! And everyday while searching through the Treasuries, or Pounce, I find more! Some of the best items I've bought lately:
Insane Jellyfish has some great bracelets
PhriendlyK8 made me the best cell phone case
The cutest baby washcloths from Little Something Extra
Felt fortune cookies from Red Rover
Heather Future has the cutest paintings and stories about her characters
and in honor of upcoming earth day: Gnome Clothes sells great reusuable cloth snack bags and sandwhich bags. I'm about to go buy some from her now! :)

Featured Artist of the Week - MiaBeads

1. Tell us a little bit about who you are and your life up to this point in time.
I was born "Michelle", named after my father, Michael (in french). My brother gave me the nickname "Mia" as a kid, and it stuck. I've always been a dreamer... but an ambitious one! I love art, music (especially classic rock), and all of the "Law & Order" shows. I wanted to be a lawyer when I was younger- or a teacher. I always did well in school, but was never into sports- I hated gym class with a passion! I danced for 18 years, and would love to start taking some classes for fun again this summer.

2. Besides your fantasy creative life, what else are doing currently?
Right now, my creative life is my life- although I wish it allowed more time for creating new things- I've been so inspired lately! My etsy shop keeps me very busy; making, packing, shipping, and of course the customer service and recordkeeping. I also run one location in a small chain of local bead stores and am working on my business administration degree.

3. What do you offer in your Etsy Shop?
My etsy shop, MiaBeads, sells jewelry in a variety of styles- focusing on quality pieces that are both trendy and timeless. I love delicate, feminine jewelry- and also bright, vibrant colors. Pearls, lockets, brass, oxidized silver and vintage glass are some of my favorite materials to work with at the moment.

4. Where do you create?
In a mess! My creative spirit refuses to allow time for cleaning!
Currently, I'm using one spare room in my house for the creating, and my office for paperwork and packaging. This summer, I'm going to be doing a bit of streamlining... setting up a larger studio space where I can do everything at once! I'm sure that will eventually end up just as cluttered though! :0)

5. Where do you get your inspiration from?
Mostly nature, and also the vintage components I find. Color is also a huge inspiration for me.

6. How did you learn how to do your craft?
I was always busy with some sort of project as a kid. I began making beaded jewelry at a young age and did my first craft show at the age of 12. I got a job at a local bead store a few years later. Working there, and interacting with so many talented people, taught me so much and helped me find my own style.

7. How do you promote your wares?
Word of mouth has been my best advertising! Keeping my shop updated and the lovely etsians that have featured me on their blogs also helps to bring in new customers.

8. What has been the most important lesson you've learned since you started selling your own creations?
If you want to run a successful business, you need to price your items correctly! This is especially important if you plan on wholesaling to shops and boutiques. The amount of time that goes into designing, creating, marketing, selling, and distributing must be taken into account.

9. Is there any advice you can give others who are just starting out?
Do what you love and be original; People can tell when you are passionate about your work! Don't get discouraged by a slow start... just keep improving your photos and descriptions, stop by the etsy forums for some great info/critiques, and find new ways to promote your wares. The Storque has some great articles on "Etsy Success Stories" that are inspiring to read!

10.Do you have any favorite Etsy artists you'd like to promote here?
Elmstudiosonline
PicturesofLily
IraGrant
BizzieLizzie
Jenarter
MadebyMama

Check back tomorrow when we start Mia's Giveaway!

Soap & Lotion Giveaway!

This Giveaway is now CLOSED!

This week's Giveaway is being sponsored by Soap Deli from Roanoke, Virginia! There is no purchase necessary to win - the giveaway is entirely FREE!

What do I have to do?
1. Go to Soap Deli and look at Rebecca's items for sale.
2. Choose a favorite and come back here to this blog.
3. Leave a comment here with:
a. A way to reach you in case you win
b. Your favorite item from the shop
4. Tell your friends, post this giveaway on your blog, let the world know!
5. As a bonus, everyone who subscribes to my newsletter (monthly, you won't be bombarded and your info won't be given or sold to anyone else) through the NotifyList box in the side bar, will be entered into my Monthly Drawing for a Giveaway from my shop. The drawing will be on the first of each month. Enter once thru NotifyList and be eligible each month thereafter.

What do I win?


Blackberry Sage bar soap

A favorite year round, this soap pleases not just with the delicious scent of blackberry and sage, but with skin loving ingredients like shea butter and rice bran oil as well. Great as a body or facial soap and for shaving as well. Liked by both men and women alike, each deliciously scented bar weighs at least 4 oz. 95% natural - only fragrance and scent are artificial - and 100% vegan.

Ingredients: coconut oil, distilled water, canola oil, olive oil, palm oil, sodium hydroxide, rice bran oil, shea butter, fragrance, and colorant.

Blackberry Sage Lotion

This fabulous lotion leaves your skin feeling moisturized, soft, and silky smooth. It contains a combination of Goat’s Milk, Honey and Shea Butter, all wonderful ingredients for hydrating your skin. It smells like delicious blackberry sage tea. It's nice and thick, and great all over. Each bottle contains at least 8.5oz. of lotion by weight.

Ingredients: Water, Glyceryl Stearate, Isopropyl Myristate, Caprylic/Capric Glyceride, Stearic Acid, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Soybean Oil, Shea Butter, Dimethicone, Sunflower Oil, Aloe Barbadensis, Goat Milk Extract, Hydroxypropyl Trimonium Honey, Benzophenone, Methylparaben, Propylparabaen, DMDM Hydantoin, Triethanolamine Disodium EDTA, and fragrance.

A retail value of $17!

When does the contest end?

Friday at 11:59 pm ET all entries must in. Each person can enter only once, duplicate entries will be discarded.

How is the winner chosen?
The winner will be chosen randomly by random.org on Saturday. The winner will be notified by email or you can check back here on Saturday afternoon, as it will be posted.

Thanks for entering and good luck!

Featured Artist of the Week

Soap Deli, a fellow Virginian!



Rebecca of Soap Deli has agreed to be the first sponsor of my now Weekly Giveaway! Today you can get to know her and her products here through my interview. Come back tomorrow to find out about this week's prize in the Giveaway. It's very exciting and I'm so thankful to Rebecca for her sponsorship!

1. Tell us a little bit about who you are and your life up to this point in time.
Basically I'm a 32 wife and mother of one. I have a BA in Fine Art from Roanoke College where I studied a bit of everything including pottery, photography, and painting. I currently make lots of soap, which I sell primarily on my local farmer's market, and I love to read when there's time leftover.

2. Besides your fantasy creative life, what else are doing currently?
Actually my creative life is pretty much my life. I make and sell soap full time. I also created a site for my local farmer's market in my spare time and keep a little blog to go along with it. I take pics of new crafts, plants, and produce to let people know what we're offering. I also do restaurant reviews, and list special events. http://www.roanokefarmersmarket.com Additionally I also have a blog to promote my products at http://www.soapdelinews.com I post regular articles, how to's, bath & body recipes, and contests. In my free time I read. In between I do the normal household stuff which I'm always trying to put off a bit longer.

3. What do you offer in your Etsy Shop?
I sell shea butter soaps - all of which have an amazing lather - feel good lotions, sugar scrubs, and a little extra "other stuff" here and there.

4. Where do you create?
I mostly work out of my kitchen and my office.

5. Where do you get your inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from my sense of smell and of course input from other "smellers" I come in contact with.

6. How did you learn how to do your craft?
I am self taught and have been at my current craft since 2001.

7. How do you promote your wares?
I promote a lot through networking, my blog, and just seeing people face to face every week. I get a lot of new customers from recommendations made by my regular customers as well as from tourists who find me on the market downtown, like my stuff, and come back to etsy to order more.

8. What has been the most important lesson you've learned since you started selling your own creations?
That in order to get 100%, you must give 100%.

9. Is there any advice you can give others who are just starting out?
Just take the plunge. Give everything you can and you'll get back. Don't be shy about getting out there and talking to people about your products.

10.Do you have any favorite Etsy artists you'd like to promote here?
I have a ton of favorites but haven't had a chance to buy from them all. Here are a few I have purchased from and recommend.

I love the artwork at BellatrixArt.etsy.com
TheModernPet.etsy.com makes a great funky pet deodorizer.
Owlishly.etsy.com has the cutest patterns in the world.
Nanu.etsy.com makes a great natural laundry detergent.
I've gotten some really cool lampwork beads from margolampwork.etsy.com
HandmadebyMia.etsy.com has some awesome felted bags.
My son loves his nightmare snatcher by Spiderbite.etsy.com
jksdesigns.etsy.com always has beautiful jewelry.

Featured Artist....

Cassandra Russell Design, out of Canada!



Cassandra approached me about a trade and that's how I found out about her shop. I don't know if we will work out a trade for products, but I just had to share her artwork with you. I think it's so lovely and the embodiment of Spring. If you are in the market for new, original prints, watercolors, acrylics or notecards; please visit her shop.

Taken from her Etsy profile:

Designer Cassandra Russell, founder of the brand that bares her name and exudes her personal style, has based it on the principles of clean, simple fashion and beauty. The company was founded in 2001 with Cassandra’s graphic design work and art shows, which featured her original painting. The Cassandra Russell brand has expanded over the years to include small gifts, hand dyed silk scarves, gift baskets and other home accessories.

You can find out more about Cassandra, her art, and what she's working on next on her blog. Mmmm, you can almost smell the flowers :)

The Search Is Over!

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you'll know that I've been in search of chemical free body wash. Well, I'm happy to say that I've found it! Heidi has been working on her shampoo recipe and she gave me 2 bottles as part of our trade. She said she's still working on it and she's not completely happy with it yet. I tried it and thought that it was fine. I've had other shampoos leave me hair feeling a little softer, but this wasn't overdrying at all.

After the second time of shampooing, I thought "This really lathers well and smells so good. There's no chemicals in here - there really shouldn't be any reason not to use it as a body wash." I sent Heidi an email just to be sure. I mean who knows, right? I don't make soap. Anyway, she said to go for it, it's fine for both. And (a little whisper aside) she's in the process of developing and all-n-one shampoo, body wash, bubble bath (so keep an eye out!). Well, my dear friends! It was fantastic! The lather was great, the smell fantastic, a quarter lasted the WHOLE body (and there's lots of body!) and then some - even through shaving! My skin didn't feel dried afterward and I'm just in love.

So, my search is over. I have found my chem free body wash and she makes a ton of different scents. Cheaper than Bath & Body Works for the same amount - so worth it! And earth-friendly and human-friendly :)

Heidi's Candles

I've never used soy candles before getting Heidi's. Years ago, when I lived in Arizona, I got hooked on Yankee Candles at first, then Party Lite, and then finally Gold Canyon Candles. Gold Canyon are the best smelling, as far as one candle gets the job done. I didn't like Yankdee because they smoked too much, leaving the jars all black and the walls had soot marks. Party Lite was too expensive for the amount you got. Gold Canyon had the most scent and does pretty good in the smoke department as long as you trim the wicks.

So you can see, I have a candle history. If you ever come to my Cave, there are over 20 candles lit on a Friday night. Mostly candles from local stores - just for looks, not scent because they don't smell know matter what they say. I've heard of soy candles but never bought one before, so I was excited to try one through my trade.

I got White Tea & (you guessed it!) Ginger and Brown Sugar & Fig. They both smell VERY yummy. They come in a plain tin and are white wax - goes with any decor. I believe the tins are 4 oz. and have a single wick. They burn very cleanly - no smoke or soot marks anywhere. I had one burning in a rather large room so the scent dissipated - not as strong as Gold Canyon. I will try it again in my bathroom and see how it does there. I love to smell the scent of the candle while it's burning, so I'm hoping that a smaller room will hold the scent better, because it is heavenly when sniffed in the tin.

Featured Artist - HeidisHandmades

I was recently lucky enough to find myself in a position to trade with HeidisHandmades. She liked one of my handbags and she makes chemical free bath and body products. See previous posts for the history on my search for things that won't kill us. I was able to get shampoos, soy candles, and body cream. First, I must say that my trade was a delightful experience. Secondly, I would like you to get to know Heidi! Over the next couple of days, I will include my reviews of her products.

1. Tell us a little bit about who you are and your life up to this point in time.
I'm a Marine wife and mother of 3 children living in FL. I took a soapmaking class in 2000 and have been playing around with soaps ever since, and even started making lotions and candles too. :)

2. Besides your fantasy creative life, what else are doing currently?
I spend a lot of time hanging out with our neighbor friends, we live in military housing and the neighborhood is very fun and close. We had a humdinger of a St. Patty's Day party the other day! :)

3. What do you offer in your Etsy Shop?
I offer soaps, creams, lotions, soy candles, bath scrubs, massage oils, bath teas, sachets and cat toys too!

4. Where do you create?
In my home

5. Where do you get your inspiration from?
The different seasons inspire me to create different kinds of soaps or creams. I like to get creative with colors and scents. I also have customers ask for certain things, and they give me great ideas too.

6. How did you learn how to do your craft?
I took a soapmaking class

7. How do you promote your wares?
My husband and children are my first priority, so I do not want to get too big with my business right now. I mainly promote and sell on etsy for now and once I can juggle a bigger business I will sell at local craft fairs and shows.

8. What has been the most important lesson you've learned since you started selling your own creations?
Everything needs to be perfect, customs will notice the smallest little things. Great customer service is very important to me.

9. Is there any advice you can give others who are just starting out?
Enjoy it, and have fun. Keep your head up when sales are down, you will get sales and repeat customers in time.

10.Do you have any favorite Etsy artists you'd like to promote here?
Little Beans makes wonderful wooden children's toys.
Fair Lady Faye makes beautiful custom bracelets.

You can visit Heidi's shop at HeidisHandmades. She will also take custom orders and is in the process of developing new products. So check back often as she gets things listed!

Featured Artist of the Week

BLOG TRADE EVENT!

This week's Featured Artist is The Peach Tree - a fellow member of the Etsy Trade-a-holics Team.

Out of Brooklyn, New York, this boyfriend/girlfriend artist team select and design classic, elegant jewelry. Their shop on Etsy is fairly new, only a couple of months old and they already have over 100 sales. Obviously, their designs have mass appeal! So if you're looking for something simple and elegant, you can visit their shop at
The Peach Tree or check out their very artsy blog at Peach Tree Blog

Featured Artist: Jamilary

This week's Spotlight is on Jamilary (pronounced juh-MEE-luh-ree)! Jamila was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, though currently residing in South Burlington, VT. Jamilary launched on March 17, 2007. Jamila's jewelry designs incorporate freshwater pearls, semiprecious stones, and natural materials acquired through her worldwide travels and the travels of her family.

Jamila herself describes Jamilary as trendy, classy, custom-made, handmade works of artistic jewelry. Through her 25 years, she has been a student of fashion with a keen eye for her personal sense of style and she has not been afraid to set the trend.

Got my Handcrafted Cards!

Wow! That's about all I can say. I don't ever even buy cards - not Christmas cards, not birthday cards. I figure "Why bother?" It gonna end up in the trash, why spend $4 at Hallmark. Well, I wouldn't. Since I'm an Etsy supporter, I decided to purchase 2 cards from LaMar last week because I have 2 very important birthdays - my brother-in-law and my hubby. I got to choose my colors, theme, inside greeting; that was pretty cool. I got email photos of them for approval and I thought they looked nice.

Well I got them in the mail today and I was STUNNED! They were not at all what I expected. These cards are solid! They have texture - an almost 3-D like quality! One of them is hand drawn. This is true art folks! Keepsakes! And I didn't pay $4, but I would have for this kind of quality. These are the cards that make into the scrapbook, not the trashcan.

Buy, buy, buy right now! Get your St. Patty's Day cards, Easter cards, invites, birthday cards, Mother's Day.

Featured Artist - Handcrafted by LaMar

This week's artist is Handcrafted by LaMar. LaMar Lynch handcrafts his beautiful greeting cards from his home in New York. He has cards for all occasions and will personalize them free of charge. What I love most about his cards is how you can get them in any color and coordinate them with your gift or theme. He loves to do custom work and will take orders for party invitations, thank you sets, anything you want to say in a card.

He is also running a fabulous promotion and monthly drawing. You can visit his shop, http://lamarlynch.etsy.com or his blog, http://craftedgreetings.blogspot.com for rules on entering the drawings. Reach out and touch someone today, say it uniquely with a handmade greeting card.

LaMar and I offer coordinated gift packaging. Buy one (or more!) of my items, and for a small fee, I will gift wrap it and include your personalized gift card from LaMar and ship directly to your recipient. Please contact me for details.

Featured Artist - Knit It Good

This week's featured artist is Knit It Good. To all you yarn-lovin' fools out there, this is a fabulous place to get hand-dyed yarn at a very reasonable price. Alexandria started dying yarn after seeing someone online post pictures of their hand-dyed kool-aid yarn. So she gave that a try and dyed 6 skeins of worsted weight yarn and hasn't stopped since!

She always start the dying processing by giving each skein(usually does 2-3 at a time) a water/vinegar bath for at least 30 minutes. Once the 30 minutes is up, she dyes each skein the way she wants (or you want, if it's a custom color order). Sometimes they don't come out the she wanted them; but then again, sometimes they're better!

You can visit her shop at http://aands81.etsy.com or her other websites: www.knittinghelp.com and www.craftster.com.

Featured Artist - Keiki Boutique

Etsy Buy Handmade KeikiBoutique

To celebrate my sister's pregnancy with her 4th child, this week's Featured Artist is Keiki Boutique, the home of the Posh Pouch! (An amazing little diaper and wipe carrying thingie!)

Lacey is a SAHM to Trystan and now baby Willow, the joys of her life. She grew up with a grandmother who was constantly sewing something - a quilt, an heirloom baby dress, an afghan. Her sewing machines and crochet hooks were always going. Thankfully, some of those creative genes made it down to Lacey. She enjoys creating things especially for her children and things that make her life as a mom simpler and more fun. She is more than happy to create a custom design for you. All you have to do is ask!

You can visit the boutique at http://keikiboutique.etsy.com or www.Tags4Tots.com.

Oh My Word! Jump into Two Rivers!

Right now! Go to Two Rivers Soap, get your soap - order it today! I just got mine - I could smell it through the box. My mail lady must have been so jealous :) Actually it probably drove her crazy all day long. "Mmmm, that smells good! What is in that box? Is it a candle? Is it soap? Where is that from?" Oh Jennifer, honey, get yourself a larger return address label. Put your shop info on it and you'll have massive orders coming in from mail carriers all over the country! Get yours people! I got White Tea & Ginger, Sandalwood Vanilla, and Brown Sugar & Fig. Delish! Oh and don't come over here thinking you're gonna wash your hands at my place - you'll just get Walmart liquid soap. This is mine all mine :)