Saturday, June 30, 2012

My latest batches of soap

My latest batches of soap. Evergreen love uses cedarwood essential oil and juniper essential oils. Dragon's heart extra moisturizing with shea butter has dragon's blood essential oil, ylang ylang essential oil & patchouli essential oil. Lavender & patchouli.... Exactly as the name says a wonderful blend of romantic lavender and earthy patchouli.

Trying to plan a few more batches. What kind of soap would you like to have made?


Friday, June 29, 2012

Friday Feature- Dream Art



Describe yourself in 3 sentences.
Our names are Dmytro and Iuliia and we live in Ukraine. We are
creating paper cuts from a single sheet of paper and all of pieces are
interconnected. All our works are made with love and soul. We love and
enjoy creating a paper cut pictures also want our customers become
happier having our works.

How did you name your business?
We love paper cutting so when we thought of the name of our shop we
wanted it to be simple and memorable but the same way describes what
we are making so we named it DreamPapercut.
Holding Hands Couple with Bikes

How long have you been doing your art/craft for?
From our childhood we are fond of creativity. Once, we created a
greeting card with hand-cut elements for our friend’s birthday. After
that, we took interest in paper cutting art and started creating paper
cut silhouettes. But decision about creating our DreamPapercut shop
and share our art with other people came to us a half year ago.

What inspires and influences your work?
We are creating hand-cut paper silhouettes inspired by nature, life
and people who like our works.
In Love Zebras

Where can you artwork/pieces be found?
Shops:
Facebook:

What do you do when your not creating?
When we have a free time we go for a walk to the parks, forests to
enjoy the nature and get inspiration. Also we like meet with our
friends and spend hours talking and having tea. It helps us to relax
and get new energy to create original works.
Air Balloon 

What is your favorite piece(s) that you have created?
All paper cuts in our shop are the most favorite for us.

What do you feel is special about your art/craft?
Paper cutting is very amazing process, when at the beginning you just
see a piece of paper and after spending several hours/days to cut,
paper becomes a beautiful art work. Silhouettes for us are not just a
sheet of paper. We put in our works a piece of love, care, kindness,
happiness and truly believe that people can feel the same emotions
looking at our paper cuts.

Are there other forms of art and crafts you would like to learn? And why?
We want to grow in paper cutting art and create more beautiful and
intricate paper cut silhouettes. Also we are interesting in creating
paper greeting cards from images of our original paper cuts.

Couple In Love Holding Heart Card

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Treasury Time

There are beautiful treasuries I would like to share with all of you this week. I was included in both and I appreciate the curators time and energy that they put into them.







Monday, June 25, 2012

Monday's madness

Not much really going on this week. I am focusing on creating enough product for the craft shows over the summer. Also I need to start making a few batches of soap so a week. I always make small batches of 9-12 bars of soap at a time.

I am brain storming ideas for products for men. Men seem to be a bit left out sometimes in the crafty world. The handmade product on my shop are targeted towards female shoppers.

I am also in the middle of inventory for all my jewelry that I have on hand ready to sell. Nearly half done and around 250 pieces so far.

Here is my latest batch of soap freshly poured cold process. Scented with essential oils of cedar wood, juniper and lemon eucalyptus. Plus vitamin E & shea butter for extra moisturizing. Out has a nice masculine scent.


Friday, June 22, 2012

Friday Feature- Maple And Oak Designs



Describe yourself in 3 sentences.
We are an international couple, Guillaume is French Canadian and Leonie is German. We love travelling. We love creating.How did you name your business?

Leonie & Guillaume: It is always fun to think about names for something. So when we had the idea to open an Etsy shop for the first time, we started thinking about and playing around with names. One thing that we agreed on really fast was that we wanted to somehow include both of our nationalities in the name. We both love nature and walks in the forest or at the beach. That’s why we chose the German oak tree and the Canadian maple tree to be part of our name and came up with MapleAndOak Designs. So far we love the name. We just got our logo official logo designed by a graphic designer friend. So exciting!
How long have you been doing your art/craft for?
Leonie: I always loved drawing, painting, sewing and building things with my own hands. Even though I worked in lots of other jobs along the way and I’m still doing other things, I could and will never let go of arts completely. Well, I started sewing the scarves, especially the hooded scarves about a year ago and it’s even more fun since we opened the Etsy shop!

Nautical Blue Stripe Hair Wrap Cowl

Guillaume: I could do any work that doesn’t involve manual work. I just need to use my hands while working. At the beginning I just made the magnets, so that Leonie would be able to list a few more items in our shop, but now I really enjoy making them.

What inspires and influences your work?
Leonie: I can be inspired by lots of things. Good music. Nature. Yummy food. And of course other art like paintings or literature. But what inspires me most are people. People are so diverse, beautiful and everyone is unique. I can find Inspiration everywhere I go. My imagination is so hyperactive; I need a book to write down my ideas. There they’ll wait until I’ve got some time to elaborate on them.
Guillaume: And of course travelling. While travelling I get so many ideas which I take home with me just to turn them into something new.

Infinity Scarves

Where can you artwork/pieces be found?


First of all on Etsy:


And of course on our facebook page, that we constantly update with previews of new items, promotions and other interesting information:
You can find us on twitter as well:


What do you do when your not creating?

At the moment we’re relocating back to Canada. We have been living in Germany, where Leonie is from for a year now and really enjoyed living in Hamburg, one of Germany’s biggest cities. Missing the wilderness and inspiring vastness of Canada, we decided to go back to Calgary, where we already lived before. Guillaume will leave in a few days, while Leonie still has to work as a teacher until the end of the school year and has some time left to say good bye to friends and family.

What is your favorite piece(s) that you have created?
Why did you create this piece(s)? (We answered both questions at the same time)

Leonie: My favourite item is the hood scarf collection or call it scoodie collection, if you want to. It was the item that gave me the idea for the shop. Also I love that it’s reversible. It can be designed with a beautiful mix of colours and fabrics, simply stylish. Also it is really comfortable and practical. It can be worn in so many different ways, hood up, hood down, just around the shoulders. It was perfect in winter to bundle up, but I just found out that it is also wonderful for warm days, when it gets chilly in the evening and you don’t want to carry a jacket.
Guillaume: My favourite item is the infinity scarf for men. It is simple and down to earth but still trendy. I really like that Leonie started making accessories for men, can’t wait for more of those creations.


Hood Scarf Stripes Blue Red Reversible



What do you feel is special about your art/craft?

Leonie  & Guillaume: Our shop is colourful, genuinely happy and unique. We try to stay coherent with our products; the main focus is on the scarves but we try to lighten it up with the magnets and the fabric hearts.
Our designs are young and fresh. We like to work with colourful, funky fabrics contrasted by plain-coloured ones. This is not only a nice contrast but it also symbolizes human emotions. One day you might feel like wearing something happy and bright, the next day you feel rather like putting yourself into plain and elegant clothes. Basically, we seek to cover every aspect of feelings in our designs by using a variety of styles.
We like as well to design products that are useful in more than one way. You can wear all of our accessories in a variety of styles, especially our two-in-one cowl/headband is not only a cowl but can also be worn as a headband. We like to add those tricky, peculiar ideas to our creations.
We work a lot with recycled materials and fabric leftovers, so our shop is as eco-friendly as possible. We also enjoy to be part of the upcycle movement and breathe new life into old things. It is so much fun to see how something ragged and worn out can become something completely different and start a second life.
Oooh, that was a long answer, but we think that’s the only way of describing what makes us different...

Fabric Hearts

Are there other forms of art and crafts you would like to learn? And why?


Leonie: I would love to learn how to felt! I’ve seen some amazing scarves ( I guess I’m kinda obessed with scarves) on Etsy and just wanna learn how to make them myself. Felted items can be delicate yet strong and warming at the same time. I just love it!

Guillaume: I would like to do something with granite, as it is my day job to work with granite in interior design. But I would also like to learn more about wood. I recently said that, if I ever get a smart phone, I want a wooden cover for it. It would be awesome if I’d be able to do it myself.

Map Magnets

Monday, June 18, 2012

Monday's Madness

Things have been pretty good, I worked on making aromatherapy eye pillows and flex seed heat pads over this week. I love having the sewing machine out there is so many wonderful things I would love to make.

Mostly I am trying to make sure I am ready for the two small shows I will be in over the next few months.

Just doing my thing

Finished Lavender & Rosemary Flex Seed Eye pillows

I love my labels, makes me feel oh so special, lol.

Finished flex Seed Shoulder/Body Heat Pad

Again Heat pad

Saturday, June 16, 2012

From My Favorites- The Masks We Wear


From Equine Annihilation  

 The Tinkerer Patchwork Masquerade Mask


The Tinkerer Patchwork Masquerade Mask



More than just another steampunky mask, this wonderful vintage cloth wrapped mask is like none other with a post apocalyptic air. Its earned a nick name here at Equine Annihilation as the "Hanibal Lecter" Mask, rustic, blunt, but yet meticulous and precise. Accented with a cluster of found charms and objects, which can be clipped on or off the mask, depending on your tastes. 
Works well for both masculine outfits, or a rustic touch to a feminine one.


One size fits most



Snowy Owl Leather Mask


This mask is made of 2 layers of 6-7 oz veg-tanned leather which has been hand-molded, carved, and painted to create a detailed Snowy Owl. 

The leather surface has been colored with a combination of dye and acrylic paint, and sealed with a flexible acrylic finish. Includes black cord ties, but if you would prefer elastic instead, please indicate that at time of purchase and it can be substituted. Very durable, light, and comfortable to wear!

Masquerade Cookies // 6 // Mask Masquerade Carnival Party Favors // New Orleans Venice Brazil

Whether you are celebrating in the New Orleans, Venice, or Brazilian fashion, these flamboyant and fabulously colored and textured face mask cookies will really get you into the Mardi Gras or Carnival masquerade spirit!
Raven leather mask in black


You’re sure to be noticed when you wear this beauty. Standing over 12" high, this dramatically posed bird gives a sense of majesty to the wearer. All of the symbolism connected to Ravens can be felt in this mask. 

I first cut it out of lightweight vegetable tanned leather, then hand shaped it while wet to fit a face. Once dry I painted it black and sealed it with an acrylic finish.

Because of all the cut outs it weighs just 1½ ounces, which means it will be comfortable to wear for extended periods. Comes with an adjustable double strand of elastic.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Friday Feature- Miri Textiles



Describe yourself in 3 sentences. I'm a single mother, artist, and archaeologist. My life has been very weird and fun so far. I become emotional over beautiful fabrics!

How did you name your business?: My business is named Miri Textiles for several reasons. Miri means "lark" in Welsh. Larks weave nests in the grass for their young, so to me they represent the internal impulse to create textiles, which is ancient, maternal, artistic, creative, generous, and communal. I wrote a book about Welsh prehistoric monuments, and while I was doing my fieldwork I became familiar with the larks. They perch silently on a stem and then suddenly fly straight up, twittering this amazing song, and then drop down just as suddenly into the grass. They reminded me of my beautiful husband who was lost to us in 2000. Miri means a lot to me.
Tribal Scarf Bohemian Red Gold Blue White Cotton

How long have you been doing your art/craft for? I've been doing this particular craft for about a year.

What inspires and influences your work? Tradition, prehistoric art, neurology, women, community, New Mexico, New Orleans, lots of things! I am most compelled by the act of weaving itself and its connection to human evolution and social behaviours. I am fascinated by the traditional motifs and techniques. I am also interested in creating a global network of single mothers who are brought together by cultural textiles.
Silk Sarong Purple Wrap Scarf

Where can you artwork/pieces be found? My pieces can be found in my home and on Etsy right now!
Etsy shop Miri Textiles


 What do you do when your not creating? Chasing a 3-year old boy around and around and around. And hugging him. And kissing him.

What is your favorite piece(s) that you have created? My favorite piece is a wall hanging created from a vintage silk kantha sari. Kantha saris are made in northern India. Women hand embroider these incredible, colorful motifs on a ground of silk sari. They are elegant and rustic at once. The sari I chose has horses and fire-wheels all over it. Amazing and glorious thing.
Wall Hanging Silk Kantha with Hand Embroidered
 Horses & Fire Wheels

Why did you create this piece(s)? I created this piece because I was so entranced by the embroidery that I wanted to look at it on my wall. My bedroom is very womb/cavelike. Red walls, an enormous suzani, sari drapes, and a huge reproduction of the deer and bison in the Lascaux cave. It's all womanly and ancient.

What do you feel is special about your art/craft? The most amazing thing about what I do is the connection with the past and the connection with the women of other cultures that happens when I touch the fabrics. Just knowing that someone sat down and made this by hand and wore it with love and pride and finally parted with it to make money for their families is very emotional for me. I feel honored to touch the silks and work on them. I feel a sense of great peace when I'm sewing a piece.

Are there other forms of art and crafts you would like to learn? And why? I'm a musician already, and have been sewing for so many years. I think now I'd like to learn weaving!


Silk Scarf Vintage Sari Teal Gold Pink

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Two new ACEO from Haunted Swamp Designs


I bought these two ACEOs last month and I love both of them. Haunted Swamp Designs has so many cool things in her shop. Sure to please goth, witch, magic, and Halloween enthusiast. It is fun to browse through see has decorated gourds, ornaments, jewelry, paintings, ACEOs and more.
Raven Guardian of souls

Witch's Cats play on the moon

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Treasury Time!

Ever early spring I look forward to seeing one of my favorite tiny flowers. Their lovely soft blue petals and yellow centers  creating a small canopy over its green foliage. These tiny forget me nots will always be one of my favorites and here is a treasury completely dedicated to these tiny natural treasures.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Monday's Madness

It has been a week of rain up here in Maine. Flood warning every where.... it was wet, wet, wet! But today looks great.

I will be in my first crafts shows over this summer one in July and one in August. I am very excited but very nervous too! They are small shows that are part of the Brunswick Art Walk and are just about in my back yard! They had one on Friday last week but it was a wash, literally! They started setting up at 3 in the afternoon I watched as they set up since I can see the location from my computer desk. It was overcast and growing dark. By the time everyone was set up at 5 it was starting to rain, shortly after it was thundering and lightning out. No customers in sight Every one packed up their booths and was gone by 7 even though the event was from 5-9. Last year they had a good crowd.... so I am hoping the next ones will be in good weather so the people will be out and about. I would be devastated if my first show was a flop!

I am nearly finished with the girls homeschool portfolios and will be focusing on getting enough product together for the shows this summer!

Friday, June 8, 2012

Friday Feature- Twice Nice Purse



My name is Nancy O'Rourke. My shop is Twice Nice Purses.

Etsy Shop Twice Nice Purses 

I love to create new things from repurposed materials. I am hard working, creative, detail oriented and value family and personal relationships. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for 29 years and have two grown kids who I adore. 

I teach a multiage class of first and second graders. I love my job. My students make me laugh every day!

My husband came up with my shop name to celebrate and acknowledge my use of repurposed wool.
Purple Flower Purse
My mom was incredibly creative and taught me how to batik, sew, tie-dye, and weave. I have enjoyed quilting and sewing for as long as I can remember. About 4 years ago, one of my students showed me his handmade felted fabric and gave me a photo album with a beautiful needle felted design. I was so intrigued with the process, I went on line and watched a few videos. I was hooked! 

I am inspired by lots of things including the colors in the gardens around my house, the shapes of the purses I choose and the roving I use for my needle felted designs. My family provides great feedback whenever I start a new purse. I have pulled out lots of designs and started all over again more times than I want to count!

Felted Black & Blue purse
My creations can be found in my Esty shop Twice Nice Purses and on my FB page. I also participate in local craft fairs in southern Maine during the holiday season. 

I have several purses that I am really proud of. (They are the one pictured here in the feature.)

They all show very different sides of my personality and style!

My purses are all handmade. Each one can take as long as 8-10 hours to complete. I shop the local thrift shops to purchase my wool. I love to buy wool coats because they have lots of fabric for me to work with but skirts, jackets, sweaters and blazers work, too. I take the clothing apart, wash it several times and machine dry it, too. I have lots of patterns to choose from. Once I choose a pattern and the roving colors,  I start needle felting the design. 
Black & Red Flowers Purse
Needle felting involves sharp needles, wool roving and fabric. To complete a purse design, I poke the roving through the wool with my needles hundreds and hundreds of times. I started with one needle. Then i discovered that there were other felting tools. Now I use 2 tools: one has 3 needles and the other has five. The needles push part of the roving through the fabric, which helps hold the design in place. Once the felting  is done, I sew the purse together and add a lining. Although it is a time consuming process, I love it!

Sometimes I wish I knew how to knit. I love felted bowls and haven't  been happy with the ones I made from wet felting or needle felting!
Pink Paisley Purse


Thursday, June 7, 2012

Review- Empress Bat's Emporium Hair Clip and Coin Purse


Photo from Empress Bat's Listing
Empress Bat's Emporium is a treasure trove of goodies.

 I purchased a hair clip and coin purse from her shop last month. I love the coin purse it is very well made and of coarse it has two of my favorites the color purple and bats! It is both feminine and goth. It is now a permanent resident in my messenger bag.
The outside is sewn in shimmering purple felt, while the inside lining is light grey felt. It is double stitched for strength. The outside on both sides features a white felt heart in which a tiny satin bat rests. The coin purse has a metal kiss lock clasp and has been designed and made by Empress Bat.

Photo from Empress Bat's listing
The scarab on brass hair clip is well made and suits me well. It is unique like all her wonderful creations. I have worn this out a handful of times and always get comments on it
Empress Bat  hand crafted it with resin scarab, painted it and set it on a swirling lace brass base all on a sturdy clip.

My final thoughts- I love this shop! The Shop owner is wonderful to work with. My purchase was shipped quickly. Both items are unique, well made and she even added a free gift with the order. 

I am sure most people will find something they love in this shop she has jewelry, art, stationary, Egyptian and Gothic themed items, bags and more. I highly recommend shopping at Empress Bat's Emporium 

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Treasury Time!

Again it has been a week of beautiful treasuries! It is hard to pick my favorite. So this week I have two.
This first I love the colors so fresh and summery




This next one is part of The TIME TRAVELERS SUMMER EXTRAVAGANZA ON ETSY all the shops in this treasury are having sales as I had shared in a post this past weekend.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Monday's Madness

So things have been busy and will be all this month. My girls homeschool portfolio reviews are all due by the end on this month. So in short I will be going through and sorting out a lot of school work. This coming year I need to organize better and I plan to!

New Alchemy- I am working on a few new product for my lotions & potions. Conditioning hair oils. One each for dry, normal and oily hair. The normal hair one is being tested now so I can tweak it  and get a good recipe down. I have already started using on the girls and my hair. I must say I am very happy with it so far. It has taken my rather damaged over dyed hair and brought it back to life! As always it is all natural and made with top quality oils and essential oils. I have been researching to make these for a few months now, but the idea has been in my mind for a little over a year. After I have one made and properly tested I might start on one for dandruff. What do you all think? Would you buy and use these kinds of hair products?

One more Question anyone bloggers out there want to test and/or review some of my new products?

Friday, June 1, 2012

Time Travelers Team EXTRAVAGANZA SALE!!!

EXTRAVAGANZA SALE!!!  From members of The Time Travelers Team on Etsy
shop any seller IN The List Below using the code EXTRAVAGANZA and get SURPRISE SAVINGS!!!



There is so many handmade treasures to find! I would love to know what you find, so stop back after you shop and feel free to share your new pretties! My shop is #28 in the list below.


From Moonspell Crafts


1. Moonspell www.etsy.com/shop/MoonspellCrafts
2. AgentofChaos www.etsy.com/shop/AgentOfChaos
3. DemBones www.etsy.com/shop/dembones
4. Scarletrabbit www.etsy.com/shop/Scarletrabbit
5. ZojjaUniquelyYou www.etsy.com/shop/Zojjauniquelyyou
6. GothAndGeekery www.etsy.com/shop/GothAndGeekery
7. Lizzesbeautifulart www.etsy.com/shop/LizzesBeautifulArt
8. RomanticaNocturnis www.etsy.com/shop/RomanticaNocturnis
9. Dovanna www.etsy.com/shop/Dovanna
10. RavensCrafts www.etsy.com/shop/RavensCrafts
11. StephaniePayan www.etsy.com/shop/StephaniePayan
12. TheWhisperingWorld www.etsy.com/shop/TheWhisperingWorld
Bat Magnets From
GothAndGeekery

13. Boitifole www.etsy.com/shop/Boitifole
14. Caitlinjohns www.etsy.com/shop/caitlinjohns
15.EquineAnnihilation www.etsy.com/shop/EquineAnnihilation
16.chrisoscreations www.etsy.com/shop/ChrisOsCreations
17 BeaPearson0626 www.etsy.com/shop/BeaPearson0626
18. FyreShadow www.etsy.com/shop/FyreShadow
19. balmyatticarts www.etsy.com/shop/balmyatticarts
20. MadScientistsDesigns www.etsy.com/shop/MadScientistsDesigns
21. JupitersHaven www.etsy.com/shop/JupitersHaven
22. TimelessAvenue www.etsy.com/shop/TimelessAvenue
24. Creaturosity www.etsy.com/shop/Creaturosity
25. Jansbeads www.etsy.com/shop/jansbeads
From Chris Os Creations

26. DarkBeautyBoutique www.etsy.com/shop/DarkBeautyBoutique
27. Biagreen www.etsy.com/shop/Biagreen
28. kindredimages www.etsy.com/shop/KindredImages
29. heartofautumn www.etsy.com/shop/heartofautumn
30. prettyandshiny www.etsy.com/shop/prettyandshiny
31. deepmidnightperfumes www.etsy.com/shop/deepmidnightperfumes

Friday Feature- Rosie's Cozy Critters



Describe yourself in 3 sentences.
I'm Rosie, I'm a stay-at-home mom to four little bundles of energy!  I spend most of my time with my kids and husband, but I make a little time each day to devote to crafting, which is my passion.  I love creating things, especially things that will be useful!

How did you name your business?
Well, I always call my pets little critters, and the things I make for them are cozy!  Cozy Critters was the first thing that popped into my head when I thought about selling!

How long have you been doing your art/craft for?
I've been sewing and working with wax since a very young age, probably about 20 years or so now.  My mom taught me how to sew as a young girl, and my obsession with candles began as a teenager.  At that time, I was making candles and soap, but found that candle making was more fun for me!

What inspires and influences your work?
Nature.  Most animals love to burrow, which is why cuddle bags are great for all kinds of animals.  I love to take my favorite scents from nature and recreate them for other people in my wax products.  There's magic in finding just the right mixture of oils to produce the best scent possible.  I also love to cook, so a lot of my scents reflect that, as well.
Cozy Critters Tasty Dog Treats

Where can you artwork/pieces be found?
Cozy Critters has a facebook page at www.facebook.com/rosiescozycritters.  I also have an etsy shop, www.rosiescozycritters.etsy.com, and a website,www.rosiescozycritters.webs.com

What do you do when your not creating?
Taking care of my home and 4 children is my top priority.  I love helping them to bring out their creative energy and use it in a positive way!

What is your favorite piece(s) that you have created?
I love the rainbow candles I've created!
Bouquet Melt Sampler Pack

Why did you create this piece(s)?
My daughter is obsessed with rainbows right now, so it just seemed natural to make rainbow candles for her!

What do you feel is special about your art/craft?
I believe that when someone loves what they do, it shows in what they create.  Each one of my items is unique, and I take the time to make sure they reflect how much I love to create.

Are there other forms of art and crafts you would like to learn? And why?
I dabbled in jewelry making when I was a teen, and would like to get into it again.  I really like how you can make totally unique items that stand out with jewelry.



Dog/Cat bed
Again here are the links to find Rosie's Cozy Critters online


Facebook
Rosie's Cozy Critters on Etsy
Rosie's Cozy Critters Website





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