Wednesday Finds- The Ivory Owl, and Matt's Art

Really loving this rustic scarf by The Ivory Owl. Just gorgeous, yes? This would be lovely for this fall. I love the texture and the colors.

I'm in love with this painting! It's by Matt's Art. These colors are so absolutely gorgeous, and would look fantastic in my room, I think! And I bet it'd look good in yours too!

Monday Interview with Christine Ford

It's time for our Monday Interview! Today I'm interviewing Christine Ford. Christine has gorgeous handmade items on Etsy, including fiber art, wallhangings, sculptures, jewelry, and bookbinding. I find her work to be exquisite!

Let's begin!


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Tell us a bit about yourself and your family!
I've been married for 14 years and have a step-daughter who's married. She just had a baby last July and now I'm a 39 year old Grandma of a bouncing baby boy. I was a professional actress/singer for over 20 years and now I'm in the handmade industry. I posted a blog about me that you might like to reference for this section: http://www.christinemarieford.blogspot.com/2011/03/who-am-i.html

NES Controller USB Drive Handmade-Wonderful Wednesday Finds

Wednesday finds really can be wonderful can't they?

For the geek in your life, this is a USB storage drive made from an NES controller I found on Etsy. Yes, I love it!
Brings back memories of when I used to play Mario games with this controller. These things look so much cooler than the wii remotes don't they?

Check it out!

Needle Felted Horse-Wonderful Wednesday Finds

One of the things I have recently added to my collection of favorites is this amazing handmade needle felted horse.
This horse is so gorgeous! The details are so intricate, and after reading about the needle felting process, I'd say this is a really talented work of art!

Teresa makes her needle felted pieces from the wool of her very own Romney Sheep.
The needle felting process involves using a straight needle that has little barbs along it. When this needle is repeatedly pushed through tufts of wool fibers, the barbs will pull the fibers down pressing and locking them together, and matting begins to occur.
This is a very fascinating process that takes hours of work!

Handmade Giveaway-Flower Of The Dead

This giveaway is now closed! Thanks to all who participated! Winners to be announced.

Would you like to win a flask, print, block print, or coaster set from Flower Of The Dead?
Seth is kind enough to allow you to have a chance at winning one of the above items mentioned from his shop. Isn't that fun?!

Entering is easy, and there are 4 ways you can enter. You may use all 3 ways to have more of a chance at winning. Please leave a way for me to contact you in your comments.

For your first entry method, go to Flower of the Dead's shop, and pick out a favorite. Come back here and leave a comment telling us what your favorite item is.
Please note this entry method is required.

Additional entry methods:
2- Purchase something from Flower of the Dead, and you will have 3 additional entries! Leave 3 separate comments to be

Interview With Red Tile Studio

Just who is the person behind this beautiful shop full of life and inspiration? I had the privilege of

Look At What I Have Been Doing!

Gloves! Crocheted ones! I crocheted lots of these for a consignment shop (which is doing very well). They're really fun to make, and I

Handmade Pottery-Interview with deborah of dgordon

I suppose I've just had this big thing with handmade pottery lately. It all started when I was at a beautiful little consignment shop in downtown Franklin, and I noticed some pottery. I wanted to reach out and touch so bad, but I was scared to death I would break something!

I jumped on Etsy and started browsing pottery. My attention was drawn to this especially lovely pottery from the shop, dgordon. I was immediately impressed by the design and quality of this beautiful handmade pottery.
So much in fact, that I decided this shop was perfect for my Monday interview! I mean, who wouldn't want to get to know the artist behind such amazing work?



Here we go!....

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Tell us a bit about yourself and your family.

My name is deborah (yes, a small d, just like I sign my pottery). I live with a wonderful man who for the past 12 years has been my biggest supporter where my art is concerned. Words I hear often from him are "deborah! DO NOT throw that piece out, someone will love it!" I'm very critical of my work, and he's almost always right!
My "day job" is taking care of my elderly parents. When they came to the point of needing to hire an aid for my mom, I said No, hire me! So I have the best of all worlds, working for employers who I love, doing what comes natural, and having time for my pottery.
My dad is a potter, our kiln is in his studio (garage).
I have two beautiful grown daughters(both of whom have etsy shops, and a g-g-granddaughter (still cant quite get the word grandmother out..Im not "that" old!)



What do you make?

I create pottery. Trinket dishes with detailed pictures... dragonflies, owls, Victorian looking pieces, wall vases, bowls, sushi sets, bread platters. Almost all of my work at this point is hand built now with pieces of vintage lace used to make impressions.



When did you start creating, and why?

Well, I've always had one form or another of art in my life, I used to illustrate children's books that I wrote, did water colors, writing, decoupage, and now pottery for the past 6 or so years. The why part is because I "had" to.
But more specifically, I started doing pottery because 12 yrs ago I left my husband and moved from NY and a chocolate company I ran, to Florida where my parents live and I was at loose ends. My dad who's a potter said "let me teach you clay." I started it to please him (yup, I'm a daddy's girl) and after a few months I realized I LOVE the feel of clay under my hands. I LOVE watching an idea form under my hands... and more often that not, my hands just move with the clay and whatever forms, forms without my thought or guidance.



Tell us about your studio and creative process.

wellll.... my "studio" is scattered all over my home (literally)!
In my den is where all my tools, clay, boards, everything, is stored. My bedroom is my packing area. Huge rolls of bubble pack, boxes, tape, all that you need to ship fragile pottery is stored there. The bed is my packing table.
And finally..the place the pieces are born.. the living room. I spread a plastic table cloth over the carpet, lay a cheesecloth covered large piece of sheetrock on the floor, my rolling pin, wooden tools, lace, stamps, hairdryer, all the items I use in creating lay next to the board. 25 pounds of clay at a time sits next to that, and I sit cross legged on the floor and hand build.



Do you have any inspirations, or someone you find especially inspiring to you?

My inspirations are nature. Everything I do is nature based, the designs, the flow of the lines on my larger pieces. And of course my dad and his work.



What is your favorite piece you have created?

That is an easy question! I have to say my favorite one was an accidental piece. I made a bowl on a pedestal. I stamped in large letters the word DREAM on a separate piece of clay and attached it inside the bowl just under the top of the rim. I then glazed it in a glaze I had never used before, Malachite. When it came out of the kiln I stopped breathing. It was magical. Honestly. The glaze had melted/run down the letters in a swirl, smokey type of a way so that it looked like something you would see in a dream. I've never been able to reproduce that look.



Do you attend art and craft fairs/shows?

I used to when my boyfriend worked nights and could help with set up during the day. I had a love/hate relationship with shows. I hated preparing and setting up and taking down. I loved watching people touching and commenting on my work. And of course shows are so iffy. You never know which will be good ones, which will be duds. I haven't done a show in about 2 yrs now.




Do you have any hobbies or other things you do?

I love cooking and baking, I guess that counts as a hobby :)



Who is your favorite musician?

I LOVE all the oldies, music from the late 50s, and early 60s. Earth Angel, In the still of the night..that type.
And classical music. BIG fan of that!




Where else on the web can we find you?

My etsy shop.. http://dgordon.etsy.com



Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

Hmmm.. I guess the "funnest" fact I can think of is, I'm psychic. Have been since I was a little girl. Dreams, knowings, reading objects. Sounds nuts, I know... but there's no denying it.

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deborah, it was fantastic getting to know you a little bit! I see we both love classical music! For myself, anything piano, so of course Beethoven and Chopin!

It was my honor to interview you, I can't wait to see what creations you have in store for you shop!

Visit deborah's shop at dgordon on Etsy.

Craft on,

Interview with Meredith Dada

As always, the art I find on Etsy never ceases to amaze me! This time the beautifully detailed intricacy of Meredith's beadwork caught my eye, and I new I had to do an interview with this artist!

It seems to me that Meredith is a special person with a special talent. Once you read the interview, you'll think so too!



~Interview with Meredith Dada~

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Tell us a bit about yourself and your family!

My name is Meredith Dada, and I am a fourth generation artist/crafter. I was lucky enough to have been born into a creative family. Art for us is just a part of life. I was encouraged from the start to create. My mother has been a successful artist and potter for the past 30 something years. My father always had photography as a hobby, but in his retirement, his work has really evolved. My Grandmother was a painter and a crafter. It was her love of beads that inspired me to use beads as a medium in my artwork.
I am a stay at home mom with a two-year-old little boy. He keeps me very busy, but I find time to create when I can. Once he goes down for his nap, I bead like a crazy woman. It is not unusual to see me in my little studio after everyone has gone to bed, working past midnight. My husband built me a studio space in our garage, he says he did it to be supportive…I think he just wanted all my artsy crafty stuff out of the house!



Tell us about your art and what you make.

I love to paint, sculpt, and mosaic. I found a way to combine all of my loves into one craft. I usually draw out an idea, sculpt or build it, then paint my design. The beading process is another form of mosaic to me, just on a smaller scale. I make little birds in nests, decorative dishes and trays, wall hangings, plant ornaments, and little bowls. Everything I make is covered in tiny glass seed beads, rhinestones, crystals, or charms.



When did you start creating, and why?

I have bee creating for as long as I can remember. I was playing with clay as a toddler watching my mom teach pottery classes. My Grandma also taught china painting, and I would sit in her studio as a little girl and paint with her students. I studied in high school and collage, working with every medium I could get my hands on. I always created for fun and as a hobby, while maintaining a “real job”.
When I started dating my husband, he encouraged me to start taking my art more seriously. At the time I was making my own ceramic tile, breaking it, and making mosaic tables, mirrors, and birdhouses. With my husband’s support I started to show my work in galleries. The first time I saw my work in a gallery window, I was hooked. When I told my Grandma I sold my first piece she said “Of course, you had no choice, this is in your blood!”. My Grandma loved to work with beads. For my wedding we made countless beaded flowers for the center- pieces and my bouquet. She passed away shortly after that, and I inherited her craft supplies. Her many jars of beads looked like jars of paint to me. That started the ball rolling. I began to paint with the beads, and fell in love with the whole process.
My work is now a form of meditation for me. My mind is clear and quiet when I work, it keeps me focused and centered. As a mom with a toddler, quiet time is golden!

Tell us about your studio and creative process

When we bought our house here in Ojai California, the first order of business was to create a work area for me. Our garage has a perfect little niche in the corner against the backside of our brick fireplace. There is an area for the large kiln I inherited from my Grandma, and enough room for two large workbenches and many shelves. I divided my space in half, one side is dedicated to ceramics, tile, and glass.
The other side is dedicated to beads, jewelry, and paint. I try to always have general supplies handy, so when inspiration strikes I have the tools I need ready to go. Some of my pieces are found objects that I refurbish and bead, and some pieces I have to create completely by scratch. I love the challenge of making an idea come to life. I like mixing techniques, materials, and media, and I need a variety of supplies and tools all at my fingertips.



Do you have any inspirations, or someone you find especially inspiring to you?

My Mom is a huge inspiration for me. She has been making and selling her work for as long as I can remember. She lives her life doing what she loves, and I am lucky enough to follow in her footsteps. She taught me all the basics in art and design as well as introduced me to all sorts of media. She still encourages me to think outside the box and push myself to new levels.

My Grandma is the person who inspired my love of beads and crafts. She always had a project going on her craft table, sometimes she would work all night while watching old movies. She could make something beautiful out of just about anything. I like to think that if she were alive today, she would be proud of what I do.

Do you have a favorite piece you created?

My favorite piece is still in the works. It is my largest and most challenging piece yet. My Grandfather gave me an old guitar. I am not musically gifted in any way so it sat in my studio for ages. When my son was five months old, I decided it was time for me to get back to work (mainly because he was sleeping through the night at that point).
Unfortunately I did not have any ideas, my mind was blank. I walked out to my studio and saw the guitar sitting there. I wondered what it would look like covered in beads. I painted the design on it that very day. I am still working on it after about a year and a half. It isn’t done yet, but it is my favorite piece so far.



What are your favorite materials to work with?

Glass seed beads are my favorite. I prefer to use very small beads (size 11/0). I also love glass accent beads, crystal, and shell beads. I use my Grandma’s rhinestones to give things a little extra sparkle. I love to take apart old jewelry, and use charms as accents as well. I like working with found objects and recycled materials. I work with ceramics, and for my smaller pieces I sculpt with Paper Clay.

Do you attend art and craft fairs/shows?

I have not done any shows or fairs. I think when my son is a bit older and I have more time, I will branch out and my world will get bigger and bigger. We do have a juried show coming up on our town, and I am mustering up my courage to submit a piece to that!



Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

I used to be a terrible cook, I mean terrible! After I got married my husband was begging for mercy. I didn’t have time for a cooking class, so I started watching the food channels on TV and reading magazines. After much trial and error I can now do more than boil water. Much more! My friends and family actually asked for recipes from meals I made. So this year I started a food blog, when I make something particularly yummy I post it!
www.dadadelicious.blogspot.com

Where else on the web can we find you?

I sell my work on Etsy
www.meredithdada.etsy.com
I also have a blog:
www.meredithdada.blogspot.com
I tweet:
www.twitter.com/meredithdada

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Thank you so much for sharing your life with us! Twas fun!

Art Of Amy

I stumbled across this lovely shop, Art of Amy. Such lovely artwork, don't you think?

She has both art prints and greeting cards available in her shop at affordable prices.

Her art is packed with whimsicality and fairytale loveliness!

Take a look and see for yourself!


Windmills of my Mind - Original Art Print



Tiny Dancer - Original Art Print



Under the Apple Tree Blank Card



Thank You For Being You Greeting Card - Pink


You can also head on over to this thread, and tell Amy which of her beautiful figures best represent you, just for fun!

Also please visit Amy's shop, Art of Amy and look around, it's beautiful!

Amy also has a lovely blog where you can find out more about her, artofamy.blogspot.com

Featuring The Elegant Elle, and a deal for you too!

What a privilege it was to stumble across The Elegant Elle on Etsy! My first reaction was "Oh my gosh, look at those hair accessories!" After a closer look, I discovered that these where indeed worthy of such an exclamation. See the end of this post for a purchase discount!



About the Artist:
Kami Loucks, the owner of The Elegant Elle, loves to create. She is wife to an amazing man and mother to a wonderful gift of life, a little boy.
Kami began creating these beautiful hair pieces out of a love for the wonderful hair accessories seen on many celebrities. As a result of the extremely high prices, Kami began creating her own.
Kami wanted other women to be able to feel as elegant and romantic as she does, so thus the shop The Elegant Elle came into being.
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There is something in every woman that is drawn to beautiful romantic flowers. These wonderful flowers would add a touch of romantic elegance to any outfit. I picked a few of my favorites to show on this blog, though every single one in her shop was a favorite.

I'll take one of each please!





The beautiful models and excellent photographic work reveal the details very nicely.

If you are needing gifts for bridesmaids or anyone else, Kami would be happy to create custom pieces to suit your needs!




Kami is offering a discount to my readers! If you make a purchase with The Elegant Elle, put the code "Treasure Chest" in notes to seller during checkout, and she will refund you 10% of your purchase via paypal!

And remember, The Elegant Elle currently ships free to US and Canada!

Please visit The Elegant Elle on Etsy to see more of her beautiful creations.

Your art is unique. No more fear of competition

I think one of my greatest fears in the past has been the fear of competition.

What if someone where to make a similar product to mine? What if people won't like my product as much anymore?

I think that fear is in all of us, and we often feel intimidated by it.

And then one day, I realized my art is unique to me. Sprung from my love of nature, especially flowers, and my love of crochet, no one can do it quite like me.



No matter how hard they try, whether it's intentional or not, they cannot do exactly what I do. They cannot copy my uniqueness.

I'm not talking about copycat's who steal other people's copywritten work, I'm talking about products in general, as in 2 people making crocheted pincushions.

I make crocheted pincushions, and there's nothing that says I'm the only one who can make them.



I'm talking about the fear that someone could make an even better more attractive pincushion than me.

Anyone who crochets can make a crocheted pincushion. But no one can do it just the way I do it!

Now that I've finally realized that, I no longer feel intimidated.
I realize now that my customers are smart and bright enough to figure out which they like better, and if they don't like mine as much, that's ok.
Someone else will come along who loves my stuff.

I'm not saying people should go around and copy someone's exact work. Obviously, that's something entirely different.

I just mean to say that, you need to realize your work is beautiful and unique in only a way you can make it, and no one can take that from you.

And besides, competition is good for us! It motivates us to strive to become better, and to put ourselves into our work. Competition can encourage us to express ourselves and our uniqueness even more than ever!

Thank you for taking the time to read!

P.S.
I often find myself looking at other people's pincushions now and saying "ooooh, aaaah, look how beautifully that edge is stitched!" :-D

Interview with Etsy seller, MissTishabooshay, handpainted plates!

I had the pleasure in interviewing Staci of the wonderful shop, MissTishabooshay. Staci takes plates and creates beautiful works of art by painting them by hand. I really enjoyed going through Staci's shop, each piece is so unique and fun!
There's so much more to say, but I'll let Staci tell you about that herself!

Enjoy the interview...
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Me: Tell us a bit about yourself and your family!

Staci: I am married to a wonderful husband & father who is always very supportive of me. We live in a big old house in Virginia that always needs painting with our four children, three boys and one girl( ages 2-12) & our two English Springer Spaniels. My Etsy store is named after our daughter whose nickname is "Miss Tishabooshay".


Me: What do you make?

Staci:I handpaint clear glass plates creating a one of a kind keepsake for babies & children, but I also paint canvas, picture frames, and pillows.



Me: What inspired you to start creating?

Staci: My earliest memory of creating was when I was about four. A very dear lady who would babysit me also happened to own a local florist business & she would take me to work with her & sit me on the worktable to watch her arrange flowers. She let me make my own arrangements with any of the leftovers. I feel like I have been creating something with my hands ever since! My handpainted plates came about because I needed something cute for my daughter's birthday party. I couldn't find anything I liked, so I decided to just make it myself. Those first plates were originally clear glass that I painted a solid color with different colored polka dots(each plate was different). And we still use those plates~ now five years later~ whenever one of my four children has a birthday, so I think the quality is pretty darn good, too!


Me: Do you have an inspiring figure in your life?

Staci: I would have to say my children inspire me~ whether its something they do or say or maybe even a book we may read together.



Me: What are some things you have done you think helped your business the most?

Staci: Honestly, I haven't figured this one out, yet! I think being an artist AND a business person is a very big challenge. It is not easy to switch gears and go into business mode when you are feeling creative & just want to paint, but if you want your business to be successful, you have to do the not so fun stuff, too. I am still pretty new to Etsy and this is my first business venture with my art.


Me: Do you have a favorite piece you created?

Staci: I especially like my handpainted glass name plates. I have painted these for baby gifts for friends over the years & I hope they become special keepsakes for their children. I also like my canvas paintings, like the Old Welsh Aire, "Soft the drowsy hours are creeping....". I have one of these in my baby's room & it is my favorite lullaby.


Me: Do you photograph your creations? Can you tell us a bit about the process?

Staci: I do photograph my own creations & I am still working on this! My husband usually helps me or critiques my finished photos~ he's a much better photographer than me, but isn't always home from work when I need to take pictures! I have found that natural light is best and my last photos are taken on our front porch, which are much improved from the ones before, if you can believe that. Speaking of photos....I think I need to work on these again soon!



Me: Do you attend art and craft fairs/shows often?

Staci: No...and I should! But maybe one day, when the children are older.


Me: Tell us a fun fact about yourself!

Staci: I am training for my first marathon in November.


Me: Where can we see your art?

Staci: Right now, on Etsy...or in the homes of family & friends.(you know the term "starving artist" ? well, that was me in college! and my family & friends could always count on my art for their birthday or Christmas gift!)
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Ooooh, Staci, your last answer there makes me wish I where part of your family! :-D I bet they are always thrilled to receive such uniquely handpainted art for a present!

I must say I truly enjoyed getting to know you better. I hope your online business is a success and you earn many fans!

May God bless you as you continue to create...