New Hang Tag

All of us who craft are aware of the sometimes overwhelming amount of scraps that accumulate. I have this little trash can where I collect all of my fabric and thread scraps. I keep looking at it thinking there must be something I can do with these beautiful little left overs. I came up with the cutest little hang tags for my bags. So easy and fun to make...

My Drama Queen

Well, you may all know from earlier posts that I have a daughter who is studying theater in college. In fact, she is a senior and getting close to being out in "the real world". Kind of scary and frustrating...as you can tell from this picture of her. She sent it to us yesterday...thought it was funny. Do we ever stop worrying about them??? Ha!

Collage...Happy Colors~Beautiful Etsy Finds

1. Bundi Blues-Fine Art Photograph by SarkaTrager
2. Demeter Necklace by Wedreamincolour
3. Billy Sport Weight Handspun Yarn by Marion
4. Just Rained Earrings by Novadesigns
5. Lollipop Watercolor by Lauratrevey

Sweet Daydreams

One of my heart shaped zipper pouches has been featured on the cutest blog. This is the first time any of my bags has been featured by another blogger. I'm so excited! Visit her Etsy shop to see her adorable scarves. Thanks Mousse!

Bags and Buds Featured

Bags and Buds was featured on the I Heart Handmade Valentines virtual craft show today. There are a lot of really talented shop owners showing beautiful handmade goods. You should check it out.

Treasury...CABTeam Divas

We have our 100th member today!

Etsy Seller Spotlight...Anatomy of a Skirt

As you check out my blog, looking through the things I highlight, you will begin to notice that I love all things small, embelished, different, beautiful and well made. Well, this week's spotlight lands on an Etsy shop that embodies those descriptive words. Anatomy of a Skirt is a quirky shop that specializes in robot pouches. Yes, that's right...robot pouches. And, I must say, these little guys are adorable. Here is a cut from the blog...

"What’s all this about?I make robots. I post robots. That’s pretty much the whole deal.

Why Robots?
I’ve been making my robot pouches for a number of years now, and they’ve always been a crowd favourite. One day I added a moustache. Then later I thought…. what else? I didn’t want to make them part of my regular line, so I thought doing a robot a day would be a fun way to see how creative I could be. I’m pretty sure some of them will be kinda lame- but hopefully in a funny way. They also came about as a way to use up my multitude of vinyl off-cuts and scraps; in my other life, I make purses, and I wanted to use up these pieces in an eco-friendly way, to divert them from the waste stream.

I still don’t get it. What’s Robot Pouch?
It’s a pouch, in the shape of a robot.

So it’s a pouch for your robot?
No, the robot is the pouch. The pouch is the robot. You can put whatever you want inside.

What’s it for?
Anything you want. Some ideas: change, hair clips, Ipods, money, secrets, little things, maps to hidden treasure, a beer can, juice boxes, fruit snacks, square cookies, bits and bobs, ribbon, bits of string, a spare pair of socks, batteries, nuts, bolts, jewellery, hundred dollar bills, nickels, pennies, a very small diary, important things, origami paper, seeds, a pair of glasses, love notes, something you want hidden, something you want to remember, thread, scissors, make-up, tape.

Who are you, anyway?
I am the maker of bots! In my other life, I run Anatomy of a Skirt, a line of purses and accessories (and yes, the robot pouch). I live in Canada. I drink lots of coffee. I really like puppies and unicorns, because they are awesome. I use the word “awesome” alot. I think alot is one word (it *should* be). I make many many robots.

Can I buy your robots?
Yes you can! Check out my etsy shop for them. I might put some on my website too. Most of the robots have a limited run (usually 5-10, but sometimes more if I particularly like them). If they become very popular, I might make a website specifically for them. Bots for sale will include a link in the blog entry.

How do you price your robots?
Pricing is always tricky. I consider Robot a Day to be more of an art project than anything else, since I’m making these in a very limited run. It takes me a fair amount of time to plan and design each robot, let alone bringing my design to life. Most of these bots are limited to 5- which means you’re getting something incredibly limited. They are all made by my two hands. If you like the bots, but want a more affordable option, allow me to recommend the original robot pouch, available with or without a moustache.

Do they come with anything?
They come with an aura of awesomeness, and each and every Robot a Day Robot Pouch comes in a silkscreened bag. There’s probably a little something else in the package too."

Here is a bit from her Etsy profile...
"Anatomy of a Skirt originally began as a reconstructed clothing design line, but we soon found that we preferred making and designing handbags and accessories to drafting detailed clothing patterns. The name, however, stuck. Our designs are quirky and full of personality with a playful edge, and often feature robots, squid and other fantastic creatures. Anatomy of a Skirt strives to use vintage and recycled materials as much as possible, and hopes to someday create a line of completely sustainable products. Anatomy of a Skirt is powered by coffee and fruit. More Anatomy of a Skirt stuff can be seen at www.anatomyofaskirt.com. Read about our adventures here: http://anatomyofaskirt.wordpress.com/"

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by Jude McConkey
Each blogger has to reveal 7 random facts about his or herself. People who are tagged have to post the rules. At the end, I have to choose 7 people to tag.I then need to leave a comment for each person who has been tagged, telling them that they are "it". The "taggee" needs to then leave a comment for the person who tagged them to read your list. Here are some random facts about me:
1. I am the mother of two-Kate 21 and Sam 20.
2. I have a Bachelor of Fine Art from Miami University of Ohio. My concentration was in fabric design and fibers.
3. My husband is the art gallery director of Purdue University Galleries.
4. I currently work as an administrative assistant for a major toy company.
5. I have become addicted to Etsy and blogging over the past 6 months.
6. My secret desire is to quit my day job and sew all day long. Well, maybe not so secret to those who know me.
7. My favorite trip of all was my cruise to Italy with my sister a year ago October.

April'sOriginals
Solsisters
Miss Gina Designs
Indigo Blue
Studio Cherie
Karen Meyers
Jennifer Ladd

Okay. That's seven.

New in my Shop...Woodland Bloom Tote

I ordered this fun set of fat quarters by Lila Tueller from one of my favorite Etsy shops-Spice Berry Cottage. I've been working on a new design and this fabric was perfect. The front center panel is woven straps of fabric in two different versions of the same pattern. I think it gives this tote a fun, different look.

Treasury...A Soothing Treasury

Thank you PianoBenchDesigns!

Promote a Sister Sunday...Miss Ruby Sue

Miss Ruby Sue is my special CAB Team sister this week. I just love her clutches and bags. They are the epitome of feminine. At first glance you notice the vintage stylings and beautiful colors. The more you peruse her shop, the more you are drawn in by the texture of the fabric. You really want to pick these gems up to feel the luxury. She says it better than I...
"MISS RUBY SUE is an Independant Deconstructed Fashion Label with romantic vintage Appeal. Often using upcycled clothing, thrifted trinkets and extinct vintage cuts in an artful blend of melodious chic and neovictorian deconstructed elements."

Here is a bit from her profile..."I am a very busy, crazy, over-the-top mother who loves to embarass my 4 kids, expecially my 13 year old son who thinks I don't look like a mom... I find balance by keeping my house clean and kids happy so I cam make a mess in my studio. I have developed a love for crazy, unbelievable vintage whimsy that only the daring will wear.

I am a happy 35 year old who finds pleasure in the complicated, difficult and challenging aspects of life. Otherwise I never learn."

You must take a look at her shop and blog
.

Treasury...Blue and Brown

I went shopping today with my daughter and when I got home I found this lovely surprise. Enjoy!

About I Heart Handmade

Directly from the site...

"Join us for the I Heart Handmade virtual arts and crafts shows, presented by American Craft Guide! Our virtual shows are a great way to drive traffic to your online websites and stores and gain added exposure — so you can convert traffic into customers!

We do not charge a commission on sales made through our virtual arts and crafts shows. And we also don’t allow outside advertising on our show pages, like some others. (Why should they steal your spotlight?) We know you work hard for your money, so we only charge a flat registration fee. This fee helps us advertise the virtual arts and crafts shows so that we can drive more traffic to your websites and online stores. The more traffic we get coming in means more traffic for you — and potential sales and lifelong customers!

Here are a few traffic stats from our most recent show, the I Heart Handmade Holiday show:

Total Visits: 4,800+
Total Page Views: 12,000+
We have many shows planned for 2009. Interested exhibitors can view the calendar on our 2009 schedule page."

Click on the title of this blog posting or to the side on the badge. It's a great website! Here is my page...

Treasury...Colorful

New Photographs

Well, I've been reading up on taking good photos for Etsy. I'm desperate to get to the front page at least once. So, I took a long, hard look at what I'm posting and decided to update some items. See what you think of the difference. The new photos are the ones with a white background. The old photos are still part of the listing, just not the first image. I'd love to hear your comments.

Why I Love Etsy...The Community

Etsy is a community of buyers, sellers and administration who work together in support of each other through teams, blogs, forums, chats, articles and feedback. One of my favorite features is the feedback function. With every sale the buyer has the option to leave feedback on the seller's page. Likewise, the sellers have the option to leave feedback for their buyers. This is a quick response of either Positive, Neutral or Negative. There is also the option to leave a few lines of text. Well, today I received one of the nicest comments from a customer. I had to share. Not because I want to toot my own horn or boast, but to show just how positive the Etsy experience can be.

Promote a Sister Sunday...thingsSHEcarried

I just want to say that I take credit for discovering Cathe's shop for our team. As I usually do, I was browsing through the Etsy shops and fell on thingsSHEcarried and was impressed with how artful and unique her bags were. I immediately sent her a convo to join our creative team and she did. Great to have her with us.

Here is a little exerpt from her profile...
"Things SHE Carried are one-of-a-kind, handmade handbags and carryAlls that artfully combine new and reclaimed materials in functional original designs.

Beginning with reclaimed, vintage and new fabrics to create fresh color and texture combinations each piece is a statement of the same philosophy: that beauty & function can be part of everyday life.

I combine a variety of materials in new and unexpected ways, blending traditional materials into contemporary carryalls creating a 21st century tapestry of all the eclectic influences that cross my path.

Skipping past fashion or era or trendy style – it is my intent to assemble a modern carryall interpretation by twisting styles and materials until they produce a relevant and highly usable canvas and shape that is largely appealing. Appealing to many women, but not all.

Following the impulse to shake things up – to make stuffy, traditional fabrics witty; to introduce post consumer recyclables in a useful, acceptable manner and to reclaim old treasured textiles into a small, personal scale is my personal design assignment of the moment."

Etsy Seller Spotlight...Papermode

As you may have noticed, I tend to gravitate toward small treasures and shops with a definite look and focus. Papermode is such a shop. The proprietors/designers are Camille Asseraf and Jennifer Whitney. Papermode is a Rhode Island based company specializing in hand-crafted items like embroidered boxes, paper jewelry and handmade journals. They are also available for stationery and design services. I think you'll love the little gems they produce as much as I do.
Check out their website and blog for more information. www.paper-mode.com

My Very Intelligent Son

I've been trying to make my photographs more appealing for my shop. Tonight I asked my son Sam, a sophomore in college studying computer graphics, to help me figure out how to use layers in Photoshop. Lucky for me, he's a very patient teacher. After some frustration on my part, many laughs and a little diligence, I came up with these. I was hoping more detail, some pretty edges and my shop name would do the trick. What do you think?

Treasury...CABTeam Creations

Since I missed doing a "Support a Sister" posting yesterday, I thought I'd make up for it by creating a Treasury. Hope everyone has success with this. I wish I could have included all of my talented teammates.

Treasury...Feelin' the Love

I was able to get a treasury spot today. Just love these hearts.

Etsy Seller Spotlight...Sophie Isobel Designs

I came across the sweetest shop today and wanted to let everyone in on it. Sophie Isobel Designs is a relatively new shop on Etsy. It opened on October 17, 2008.
In the artist's words...
"Sophie Isobel Designs is a quirky little nook that offers one off handmade artwork, bags and accessories created by a lover of all things vintage, recycled and unique. Teapots, keys, old books, ink, vintage brooches and postcards, buttons, Alice in Wonderland, typography and wild flowers are just some of my favourite things..."
Her blog profile reads...
"If you take a little trip down the garden path and through the secret garden you might find me, surrounded by notebooks, journals, old magazines, material and buttons... just spending the afternoon chasing a little beauty. i am a little bit 50's house wife, a touch alice in wonderland and a smidge 60's love child. i write, i sew, i teach English, i drink tea and i dream of being in Paris again."
I love the combination of vintage fabric and typed text. I bought the "I Heart Handbags" brooch. Go figure...
You simply must take a look... http://herlibraryadventures.blogspot.com/

Treasury...CABTeam Purses in Pink

Nothing could be finer than to be in a Treasury with my teammates! Thanks Pandjcrafts.

Treasury...Valentine

In another Treasury. Thanks to Annieheart Designs.