Leather Eyeglass Case-Item Of The Week

This week I'm showing off this beautiful eyeglass case made from rescued leathers samples. Features gorgeous golden roses!
This eyeglass case comes from dorahdesigns.

I personally think this would make an excellent gift to someone who has glasses....whether it be eye glasses or sunglasses!


Craft on,

Today's Deal- Cathedral Wedding Veil on SALE

Are you planning on getting married this fall? I found this beautiful cathedral wedding veil on sale at Etsy!

Look at that gorgeous lace! Take a look by clicking Here.



Keep crafting,

Stunning!

These earrings are so stunning that I had to blog about em real quick!

They are made with solar quartz and sterling silver. Careful you don't drool all over your shirt looking at these beauties! Visit EVYDesigns on Etsy to look at her beautiful jewelry!

Featuring Jewelry by Mick Stone Designs

Todays feature is all about a lovely shop with gorgeous jewelry designs, Mick Stone Designs!
Mick Stone Designs creates impressive One Of A Kind jewelry pieces.




About The Artist:
Mick began designing jewelry after a unique experience. She was at Starbucks all stressed out when her bracelet broke for the third time. Mick looked up a bead store in a phone book, and went there asking if she could learn how to fix her jewelry on her own.
She had so much fun learning, and her bracelet never broke again.
Ever since, she has been hooked on making jewelry!

Each piece of jewelry is a one-of-a-kind stone design that will never be replicated.

You can contact Mick for a copy of her Custom Jewelry Style Profile Form so she can get a feel for your tastes and make you a special piece of jewelry to match a special outfit.

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I would encourage you to check out Mick's beautiful jewelry designs at Mick Stone Designs.

You can also keep in touch with Mick by visiting her blog, www.mickstonedesigns.blogspot.com

Featuring Unique Handbags

There are times when I look for something specific to post on my blog, and there are times when I stumble across something in complete surprise. Well, this time it was the latter!

What a pleasant surprise it was to find some of the most gorgeous handmade bags and purses, all unique one of a kind designs, by Unique Handbags.





About the Artist:
Pamela works in her own studio from home, creating designs and bringing those designs into existence. Pamela creates her accessories with pre-consumer scrap leather and upholstery fabrics.
Pamela loves art, and her ability to fuse fabric together and add painted designs to her creations reflects that.
Pamela is a self taught artist, and loves many different forms of art, including photography, gardening, watercolor illustration, and more.

Pamela hopes to one day open a gallery to showcase her own designs as well as the designs of others, show people what goes on behind the scenes, and give classes.
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I love everything! The appliques and free motion stitching are gorgeous! I'm especially fond of the birds.





Please visit Unique Handbags online.



Pamela also has another shop where she sells her leather jewelry, all very gorgeous! You may visit her jewelry shop at uniques.etsy.com

Growing Hearts Valentines Giveaway!

 This giveaway is now closed! Thanks to all who participated, a winner will be announced soon!

 Yep, it's that time! This giveaway is for a beautiful heart collection, hand crocheted by me, the perfect gift for this Valentines.

What's in the package? One gorgeous heart bookmark, and a set of two heart hair pins. This is a heart garden, hand grown just for you, by me!







What you see in the pictures is exactly what you will get if you win!

How to enter:

Simply visit my shop Joyous Treasures, and come back here and leave a comment telling me which item in my shop is your favorite.

Additional Entries:

1: Follow this blog, leave a separate comment with your name - 1 entry
2: Follow me on twitter, and leave a separate comment with your twitter link - 1 entry
3: Put my button on your blog (located here) leave a separate comment - 1 entry
4: Tweet about this giveaway, leave a separate comment - 1 entry
5: Blog about this giveaway, leave a separate comment with a link- 1 entry
6: Make a purchase from Joyous Treasures - 5 entries! (Post 5 separate comments with purchase links please!)

There you have it! You have 7 ways to enter, and you may use all of them, but please leave a separate comment for each entry you use. If you cram more than one entry into one comment, it won't count as a separate entry, since I'll be going by how many comments there are when I choose a winner.

One winner will be chosen through the use of random.org. Please leave a way for me to get in touch with you in case you win.

Please use only each entry method once per person. (in other words do NOT comment that you followed me on twitter 3 times to get 3 extra entries)

Open to US and Canadian residents only, sorry I cannot ship a giveaway overseas:(

Giveaway ends on February 1rst at noon CST!

Thank you everyone, please enjoy and spread the word!

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

Deal of the day, weekend sale by Amelia Kay Photography

Deals and Steals of the Day!

Todays deal is from Amelia Kay Photography.
This deal runs all weekend. Grab a fine art photograph for someone special while the sale lasts!

Amelia says:
"Get 20% off your order of any items in my shop (excluding Card Sets and Calendars) PLUS free shipping on many of my prints from Dec 11 - Dec 13th!! I can either refund via paypal or feel free to convo me and I will adjust the price for you!!"

Amelia also has free shipping on many of her items. Visit Amelia Kay Photography for more details.

Introducing Country Hearts At Home on Etsy

This evening I'd like to introduce you to a new shop, Country Hearts at Home! This shop is owned by a great friend of mine, Brittany, and her sister and mother.

There are some lovely items in this shop, including this beautiful Formal Regency Dress. This would be great for the upcoming holiday events, and of course, you will still be able to wear it after the holidays too, because it's so gorgeous and elegant.

Features a burgundy background with black velvet design.




I also think these heart pincushions are adorable! This one is a burgundy pincushions, a great accessory for someone who sews.


I've enjoyed looking at the delicate artwork of Brittany and her family, I hope you stop by her shop and take a look around. Please visit her at Country Hearts At Home.

Candles I think are amazing!

Since recently purchasing the amazing votive Cappuccino Hazelnut/Creme Brulee candle, I fell in love with candles, and had to go look for some more amazing candles for you to look at (and maybe even buy :-D)! I found some really impressive ones, scroll down to see the spotlight with all the different candles.

But first, look at the candles I purchased! And boy do they smell GOOOOOD! You can check these out right here. But be careful...you may just find yourself trying to eat them!



And now for the rest of the candles. You can click on a picture to go to the item description. Have fun!

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...

Bookmark Giveaway

Since I have been creating these new wrap around bookmarks, I decided I wanted to give one away.
So you can enter to win this gorgeous Red Flower Wrap Around Style Bookmark for your very own! Just go to http://indiestyleblog.com

These bookmarks are amazing! They are secure and wont come out of your book. One end is threaded through the other, so all you do is slide it over the pages of your book and pull tight.

Really, I think you'll love having one of these! So head on over to http://indiestyleblog.com and enter to win this beautiful handmade crochet bookmark!

Featuring Love Laurie, handcrafted sewing accessories

This week I found some fun stuff beautifully handcrafted from the shop, LoveLaurie, a shop full of handcrafted sewing accessories for the sewer!

My favorite thing from this shop is this handcrafted sunflower seam ripper and threader set. Isn't it pretty?
What is it you wonder? Look closely...the leaf with the ladybug has a threader on the end of it. Pull the sunflower out of the spool and it is a seam ripper! And it's all put together on this spool. How crafty is that?




There are also these beautiful handmade pincushions. The first picture is a black with white polka dots, and a blue flower pincushion.
The second is a wrist pincushion with a yellow flower. Handy, I bet!



Lets do one more! This is another handy pincushion, called a spool sitter. You can put this on your spool of thread. This one is for the tomato lover!


You can check out more handcrafted sewing accessories at Love Laurie's shop!



All photos have been used by permission.
Please contact the shop owner before you use these photos.

Sweet Serenity Necklace from nansglam

While browsing through Etsy looking for something cool to feature, I found this gorgeous necklace by Nans Glam! Needless to say, the craftsmanship is superb, and well designed with a good eye to color and style.
This necklace is called Sweet Serenity, featuring 14K gold filled chain, a 17mm faceted prenite teardrop, a circle of freshwater pearls, (all gorgeously wire wrapped with 14K gold wire) small round jade beads above that, and freshwater pearls above that. Measures 17.5 inches.

This gorgeous handmade necklace will come gift wrapped all ready to keep or giveaway as a gift.

I think you will like many of the other selections Nans Glam offers, so check out her shop!







All photos have been used by permission.
Please contact the shop owner before you use these photos.

Fabulous Soap Giveaway!

This giveaway is now over...winner to be announced soon!

This week I'm having an awesome giveaway. Rebecca who makes soap and sells on Artfire has offered to give away 3 bars of soap to one lucky winner! You can visit Rebecca's shop at SoapDeli, where you will find splendid soaps in yummy scents for your bath.

She will be giving away 3 soaps.

Star City Seduction Shea Butter Soap (NEW!)






Mango and Papaya Shea Butter and Goat Milk Soap (it's great for dry skin).





Garden Mint Gardener's Shea Butter Soap (very exfoliating).


If you are the winner you will receive all 3 of these great soaps! I'm very jealous!


How to enter.

Go to Rebecca's shop on artfire, soapdeli, and pick a favorite product. Come back here and leave a comment telling us about your favorite.

Additional entries:
1 extra entry: Tweet about this contest
1 extra entry: follow both me, and Rebecca on twitter. (counts and 1 entry, not 2)
1 extra entry: Follow this blog.
1 extra entry: blog about this contest.
1 extra entry: become a fan of soapdeli on facebook
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Make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry. After the contest is over I will assign each entry a number and put them in a hat. The number I draw is the lucky winner!

Please enter by July 11, noon!

I will draw the number over the weekend after noon.

Good luck!

About me

Oh...you want to know about me? Well there's so much to tell!

First of all, I am a bible believing christian daughter of a godly man. I have 7 brothers and sisters. My parents have 4 girls and 4 boys. I was born third. My oldest brother is married and has 2 adorable children (they are loads of fun!)
My dad is a farrier (shoes horses), and my older sisters train horses. My oldest brother works for a large christian film company (Franklin Films, and Franklin Springs Family Media).

I have a more personal blog, Dolce Musica, if you care to visit me there!

My creative abilities? When I was very young I learned to sew, and sewed cloths for myself and my family. At 14, an elder lady showed me a few stitches of crochet. After that I took off, and taught myself to read patterns. I am now an advanced crocheter and make the majority of my own patterns up.
I take inspiration from my grandmother and nature. I love flowers, but I am allergic to them, so crocheting them and making them into bookmarks and other accessories are a good way for me to be able to enjoy them.
My grandmother loved to crochet before going to be with the LORD, and she left a good many craft supplies with me. I have made jewelry with her beads, and it feels so special to wear her beads!

I have a few other crafts I enjoy doing now and then, such as jewelry making. In fact, I make the majority of my own jewelry. I also like to draw, make cards, and photography.

Photography and music are a great passion of mine. I started doing portraits and nature as a hobby, and am now expanding my horizons to include commercial, landscapes, and more.

I play piano and guitar, though these days I stick mostly with the piano. I play for our church, and I have a repertoire of Beethoven, Chopin, soundtracks, hymns, psalms, and more.

My taste in music is very broad. I enjoy classical as well as contemporary christian, country, and a few select pieces from the pop world. I also love to listen to soundtracks, mostly from sci-fi movies. My favorite modern composers are Hans Zimmer, Clause Badelt, and Howard Shore.
My favorite classical composers are Beethoven and Chopin. I enjoy interpretations of their music from Evgeny Kissin and Yundi Li.


My plans for the future? I plan to go wherever God leads me. I am content for the time being to be at home with my family, helping my mom with the housekeeping and selling my crochet online at Joyous Treasures Etsy Shop.
Perhaps in the future I will marry and keep a house of my own.

I hope you enjoyed reading about me. God bless, and may you find joy in the treasures made by the hands of others!

About This Blog

I started this blog for the purpose of supporting other artists on Etsy. Wow, lots of talented people!
My goal is to bless as many people as possible by featuring them and promoting their work. These artists work hard to bring you quality and good taste!

If you are reading this blog, than you probably think like me...handmade is awesome! So much love and care goes into each piece, a real work of art made by the hands.

Thrown into the mix are some supplies and vintage, to help you in creating your own unique pieces.

I love to write as well, and in my endeavor to help the handmade community, I write articles and tutorials to help you in photographing, selling, and marketing your work.

I am happy to take your suggestions. If you have something you would like to contribute, feel free to convo me and let me know.
Some things that I would be interested in are tips for my "tip of the day" feature (located at the top right corner of this blog", articles and tutorials concerning selling, marketing, photographing, etc., someone you think deserves a feature, or, if you just want to leave some feedback or critique you can do that too! Just convo and drop a line! I will consider all suggestions and feedback.

May you find blessings in the work of another's hands!