Heads Up! Chemical Free Products!

I was searching around on Etsy for I don't know what, but I found some neat stuff on there like chemical free fabric softner, laundry soap, shampoo, etc. And the more I was reading (and silently counting my dollars flying out the window towards these items), I found out that Etsy has a Team dedicated to Green, Organic, Chemical Free, hand made products. AND most everything is affordable! So my green tendencies will now leak into my cleaning supplies for bath, body, and laundry. Please do a search on Etsy for EGCG (stands for Etsy Green and Clean Guild) in "Items: Tags" and all of those products that are chemical/toxin free, natural and organic will come up. You will be AMAZED at how many there are! So, people with skin conditions, allergies, etc, HEADS UP! Relief is out there at an affordable price and you will be supporting crafty people as well. Does it get any better than that?! Love the world and yourself, go green and get clean!

Fruity Purse has been adopted!

I can't believe it! Fruity purse found a new home already! Dear friend Elizabeth has been following her construction progress here on the blog. She came over last night and feel in love with her on sight. So, I am happy to say that, not only has she found a loving home so quickly, but she will be close by so I can see her again :) I know she's just a purse, but she's my creation and I'm so proud of her! Very exciting!

Etsy Trade-a-holics Weekend Sale

Looking to get something handmade on sale? Go to Etsy.com, Community, Forum, then check the Promo section. Beginning tonight at 6pm ET, the Etsy Trade team (which I am a member of) is kicking off a weekend sale. So, quick! tell your honey to get your Valentine gift from Etsy - a handmade gift, made with love and bought with love. How can you go wrong?

Oh! And check out my new apron designs!

Finished Projects! Moving on...

Yay! I finally finished the Mother/Daughter Apron Set and my little fruity purse with those blasted handles! Everything came out nicely, I must say! Miranda wants to keep the Mom/Daughter Set, but alas! It must be sold.

I got TONS of new fabulous fabric this week! Robert Kauffman, Free Spirit, Chocolate Lollipop - I am ready for Spring! I will be adding business card holders, and zippered wallets to my store. There will be whole sets of coordinating handbags, wallets, and purse organizers - oh my! It'll be like a closet dream come true. I will even make a coordinating headband for the truly fashion conscious.

Make the world a beautiful place - shop with Callidora!

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

Okay, so originally I thought I would write about a bunch of different things each day, but I'm finding that all lot of time is consumed with crafting and homeschooling. I do read each night for about a half hour, but it takes me about a month to get through a book at that rate. So I think my blog will consist mostly of crafting news, new finds, etsy artists, some homeschooling stuff and the occassional book review (as I finish them)

I read Ishmael, by Daniel Quinn, on the recommendation of my friend Becky. This book is a very good read for people who feel like the world is falling apart at the seams. It really should be a non-fiction book, but it is told in a fictional way, so there you have it. All of the premises are non-fictional however, so it is very enlightening to be able to get to the heart of what's wrong today - and give it a name. I would love to be able to explain it all in a nutshell, but I wouldn't be able to do the concepts justice in a small space.

If you feel that the global community is sort of spiraling out of control, and there's too much emphasis on capitalism and defining the "axis of evil", and that society is breaking down, etc.; then you will want to read this. The book is ABOUT these things, it's about how we got where we are today. Because as we all know, you can't find a solution, if you don't know what the problem is.

There are two other books written by Daniel Quinn that take this concept further. I am still reading them, so you'll have to wait for the reviews or read them yourself!

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.

Gettin' Active on Etsy Street Teams!

This week I have a joined some Etsy Street Teams! I'm excited about networking with like-minded people, doing some promoting and getting promoted. I have joined the Richmond Etsy Street Team for locals to get together in person; Etsymoms, an online community of crafty moms; and Etsy Artists of Color, another online community celebrating diversity in the global artist world. Their blog link is in my sidebar - go check it out and you can see my stuff and some beautiful crafty handmade things by other talented artists.