Friday, July 27, 2012

Friday Feature- Nicloe Made This




Nicole Made This… Offers a wide variety of awesome handmade personal care products. I love her energy and enthusiasm and I hope you stop by her shop and find something that you just have to have!


Check out Nicole Made This on Etsy

Follow Nicole Made this on Facebook
Describe yourself in 3 sentences:
Those who know me best call me Martha Stewart on Ritalin.  I love to
make an existing mainstream product better, naturally, and more
affordable.  I believe that high quality, natural, vegan-friendly
products should be an affordable luxury for all - and I feel a little
better knowing that the products are a responsible choice.

                            All-Natural Foaming Soy Milk Bath


How did you name your business?For years, people would ask the recipients of my items where they
bought them.  The answer was always "Nicole made this."  When I made
the transition from making products for myself and to fulfill my own
gift-giving needs, the choice was crystal clear!

How long have you been doing your art/craft for?I have been making my own products for six or seven years now.

                 Natural Ladies Stubble Bubbles Shaving Soap


What inspires and influences your work?I find it harder to deny that our environment, and the things we
consume (in and on our bodies), contribute to health problems like
cancer and Alzheimer's - to name but a few - and I want to do my part
to craft products that are not only safe for people and the planet,
but actually offer better results than inferior mainstream products.

Where can you artwork/pieces be found?My products are available via my site, my Etsy store, and at the
Jacksonville Art Walk downtown the first Wednesday of every month.

What do you do when your not creating?If I'm not making products to fulfill orders - or for my own household
- I'm researching and developing new products.  I intend to expand my
work into household cleaning items and items for pets.  I enjoy
movies, cooking,  travel, and paddleboarding (SUP).

            All Natural Creamy Coffee Luxury Exfoliating Scrub



What is your favorite piece(s) that you have created?I love all my products - they're like my kids and I it's difficult to
play favorites.  I'm really into my shaving soap (best.shave.ever.)
and my solid lotion bars right now.  Makes for easy sexy Summer legs!
I also can't live without my natural aluminum-free deodorant cream!

Why did you create this piece(s)?Women's shaving soap was a happy accident - a long-time customer who
purchased my men's shaving soap for her husband placed a custom order
in a more feminine scent and I made myself some at the same time.  I
haven't looked back.  Solid lotion bars were a necessity.  I had been
using solid cocoa butter bars for years but they were honestly lower
quality cocoa butter and crumbly, so I started mixing different
butters, oils, and waxes and the rest is history - I have two solid
lotion bars now; one smells like chocolate dipped orange segments and
the other like a light and airy tea cake.  The deodorant was a
no-brainer.  I don't think it's any small coincidence that we have the
highest rates of breast cancer - we shave and open the pores and small
vessels right near our breasts and then slather aluminum
antiperspirant right there.  I am not going to stop shaving, but I
want to be fresh so I developed an effective and safe alternative.  I
should run an apothecary for Alice in Wonderland - I have lotion bars
that look like deodorant and deodorant that looks like lotion.
Curious and curioser.

                                              Clean Stuff


What do you feel is special about your art/craft?Attention to detail and passion.  It's the little things that set my
products above and beyond commercial products.  I distill my own
vanilla oil for all my products requiring it using the finest quality
imported Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans into jojoba oil, I fresh
grind the coffee, nuts, and spices for the varieties that call for
them, and my lavender is grown and hand-harvested on family land on a
fertile mountainside in North Carolina.  My passion for bath'n and all
things product started in my early teens - I was probably the only
thirteen year old at Avon and Mary Kay events… without my mother.
This has been my main interest for the better part of twenty five
years.  I was born for this.

Are there other forms of art and crafts you would like to learn? And why?I'd like to get into cake decorating and candle making.  I think
making high quality handmade candles in fragrances to match my
products is a natural progression.  And, well, I like cake.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Treasury Time!

Here is a nice treasury done with cheery yellows.



Friday, July 20, 2012

Friday Feature By Helen Jewelry


byHelenJewelry

Helen O'Bannon


Describe yourself in 3 sentences.
I am an intuitive reader.
I love to design, make, and sell my jewelry.
I love my family that is made up of a husband, 2 dogs, a cat, and my sister.

How did you name your business?
I have 3 jewelry shops but the new main one is http://byHelenJewelry.etsy.com .  That became my name because I thought Jewelry by Helen was too boring and someone already had that name on Etsy.  My husband had the idea of the small “b” in by.  I had the idea for the entire name.  I like it because it describes what I sell and shows creativity.

How long have you been doing your art/craft for?
I started making and creating things to sell in 2000.  I didn’t seriously start making jewelry until 2006 when my older sister died of Small Cell Lung Cancer.  I inherited many beads and information and also a longing to do what I truly want to do.  I was having problems with depression and knew this might be a way to make myself feel better.  I told my bosses that life was too short to not do what you really want and quit my job and started making jewelry.  I really started as a result of my sister dying.  Being on Bipolar 2 meds and making jewelry helps the mood swings and depression.  I am grateful to my sister Linda.

What inspires and influences your work?
To be honest, my spirit guides inspire my work.  I get partial or complete pictures in my head of jewelry pieces.  I begin making them and listen for the beads to speak to me.  My guides tell me how to form my work.  If I try and create without this inspiration, I usually don’t like what I make. 

Another thing that inspires me is a strand or loose collection of stone beads.  I love making stone bead jewelry.  The metaphysical energy of them is great and can aide a person just by wearing the piece of jewelry.

Where can you artwork/pieces be found?
You can find my pieces at: my newest and smallest shop http://byHelenJewelry.etsy.com , http://watchesbyhelen.etsy.com
What do you do when your not creating?
I am an unconventional person…I dispatch operators for an online company…that is full time.  I do readings at: http://helenslightreadings.etsy.com and also a small online community called Planet Starz as StarzMataya.  I watch movies and love my family.  I am a triple Cancer so loving family is important.

What is your favorite piece(s) that you have created?
You can see it here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/102051859/silver-braclet-quartz-crystal-amethyst It is a beautiful amethyst and quartz crystal bracelet.

Why did you create this piece(s)?
I found the quartz crystal and they were faceted!  I loved them!  Amethyst is one of my favorite stones so I thought they would look beautiful together.  The metaphysical energy of them combined is great.  A bracelet was born.

What do you feel is special about your art/craft?
The pieces themselves have a lot of love behind them.  I think people can feel the caring I put into my work.  My main goal when I sell a piece is to have my customer LOVE the piece.  I try and make the piece fit perfectly.  If they don’t like it when they get it I will take it back and refund them.  I want my customers happy and in love with their jewelry.  My customer service is great.

Are there other forms of art and crafts you would like to learn? And why?
I would love to learn metal stamping.  I don’t know if I would really have the patience to learn how to do it.  I think metal stamping is so creative and you can do so much with it.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Treasury time!

This week I want to share a treasury I put together of some of the newest listings from members of my Etsy team All Mixed Up Shop team. I hope you click and visit some of these wonderful products from these very talented shop owners.




Monday, July 16, 2012

Mondays madness

I had a great time Friday at the art show here in Brunswick. Plus I made a little cash too..... Always nice when those things go hand and hand! I had 3 takes set up. My oldest Asha helped out and my hubby too. I am looking forward to next months!




Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Treasury Times

Here is a great treasury I was featured in over this last week!


Monday, July 9, 2012

Monday's Madness

This really is a Monday full of Madness for me this week. I will be in my first Art/Craft show this Friday! So my week will be full of making fresh Lotions and Potions, getting jewelry displays set up, inventorying product so I can keep track of sales and all the other things that are involved with it. I know since this is my first show I will be unprepared in some way. But my hopes are up. Even if I end up  with no sales I will be happy for the experience! So it is all good. If anyone is in the Brunswick area for the Art Walk on Friday stop on in I will be in the Friday Night Lights area by the new train station.

Friday, July 6, 2012

Friday Feature- Blueberry Bay Designs


Blueberry Bay Designs

Casual, comfy textile items handmade by me for you!


Describe yourself in 3 sentences.
I'm a fabric-a-holic. I love to see people smile. I love my life!


How did you name your business?
I was born and raised in Nova Scotia but for about 25 years I lived in other places across Canada.  When I created my Etsy store I was living in Ontario and so I decided to recognize my Bluenose roots by naming my shop after a small but beautiful village on the south shore of Nova Scotia called Blueberry Bay.



How long have you been doing your art/craft for? I've always loved fabric - so many colors and texture. I've been sewing since I was a kid. I started out making "Barbie" clothes for my "Midge" doll - I guess we couldn't afford a real Barbie :-) Then  I moved on to creating my own clothes. For a bunch of years while I was working 9-5, I was less productive but no longer. I'm now retired and back to building my fabric stash!
Over the Shoulder Navy Blue, Green and White


What inspires and influences your work?Oh, finding just the right fabrics in just the right combination for whatever piece you are in the modd to crete. I spend hours in my local fabric stores and looking in online stores. I prefer to work with cotton - it's causal and durable - but have been thinking more lately about recyclig and upcycling. Have to wait and see ho that works in to my future pieces. I get a charge out of creating something new and if someone else loves it too, that's even better.


Where can your artwork/pieces be found?My pieces can be found in my Etsy Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueberryBayDesigns
I'm also on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BlueberryBayDesigns
I sell in a few shops across Nova Scotia and  do a few craft shows every year. My next venture is the East Coast Momms Collection Show on June 24 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They are a great group - check them out  http://eastcoastmommacollective.com/

Cotton Mini Tote Shoulder Bag Red and Orange


What do you do when your not creating?
I just moved to a new house with a great yard so am spending alot of time outdoors. Planted a veggie garden which I am really excited about. I also work on my family's genealogy when I have time. And there is never enoguh of that :-)



What is your favorite piece(s) that you have created?I usually say that my favorite piece is the one I'm currently working on howeverof the things I have for sale in my shop, this is my current favorite 
Messenger Bag  Upcycled  Recycled Red, Blue, Black & Purple Plaid Hippie Cross Body w/Fringe
Why did you create this piece(s)?
The piece makes me feel very sentimental. It is created from an old midi skirt that I have been dragging around for years. It was no longer in style and was not very flattering (I'm short and stout so midi length is not the best for me) but I just couldn't throw it away. Instead I decided to upcycle it into a messenger bag. Hopefully it will have a new life with someone else.


What do you feel is special about your art/craft?All my pieces are one of a kind handmade by me !


Are there other forms of art and crafts you would like to learn? And why?Well I am actually a photographer too. My other Etsy shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueberryBayPhotos
I also have been trying to make my own stamps and would like to try embroidery - maybe add them to my fabric pieces in the future.
Cotton Wallet Sixties Style Geometric Design in Blue, Green & White
 


Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Photo of the day

I know I completely missed yesterdays theme of busy. I was busy myself, lol. I will make out up.

But here is todays My favorite part of the day. Being with my sweetie:)



Wordless Wednesday- Catching The Last Light The Beauty Of Maine



Treasury Time

I hope you enjoy this treasury it is fill with some summer hippie love!



Sunday, July 1, 2012

Photography challenge

I think this little July photography challenge will be fun. So here is my first one. A self portrait- my reflection in my car dash board.



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