Photo of the Day...Bella

Etsy Seller Spotlight...Petaltothemetal

I was reading an Etsy Finds article on the Storque today called "Nice Day for a White Wedding". I was immediately taken by the uniqueness of the Made-to-Order Bouquet by Petaltothemetal. I just had to know more about this artist. I went to her shop profile and read the sweet story of how her wedding bouquet inspired her Etsy shop. She was kind enough to tell me more...



1. Tell us a little about yourself. - My nameis Robyn, and I'm a newlywed living in Omaha, NE. i work full-time and craft and write in my spare time.

2. How did you come up with the idea to do a crocheted flower bouquet for your wedding? - after looking at bouquets for a few weeks, i couldn't seem to find anything i truly loved. every flower bouquet i found seemed identical. then i saw on a blog how a woman was going to knit one red rose for her live bridal bouquet, and the idea was born!

3. Where did you learn your techniques? after looking through many blogs and books, i came up with my own pattern. i learned to knit from a friend at 19, and i learned to crochet from my mom!

4. Do you sell your creations anywhere besides Etsy? i offer free knitting patterns on Ravelry (my user name is "thecraftivist"), and will be offering patterns in the future at Petal To The Metal as well!

5. Do you do any other kinds of arts/crafts? i knit, crochet, and scrapbook.

6. What piece in your collection is your favorite? Probably the bridal bouquets, because i loved mine so much!

Collage...Rings

Wedding Band with G10 Inlay by banaitisanddrichter
Diamond Solitare Ring by PatrickIrlaJewelry
Hawaii Titanium Ring by Hawaiititanium
Orb Trio Stack Rings by ABlondAndATorch
Wedding Band-14kt Gold and Champagne Diamond Ring by stamp
Stackable Antique Style Sterling Silver Rings by nellyvansee
Organic Tidal Pool Ring by sarawestermark
Geometric Angled Ring by andescruz
Steel Dot Band by steelzebra

Treasury...Lots of Talent

I got another treasury of beautiful items yesterday.

Scrap Brooches

Okay, I realize that "Scrap Brooches" isn't the most creative name for these pieces, but it's accurate. If you are a regular reader of my blog you have seen my scrap collection and you know that I've been trying to come up with a creative use for them. This is what I've come up with. I find these random piles of fibers, fabrics and papers so beautiful. I hope you agree.

Collage...I Love Buttons

1. Pendant in Red and White by veronicabuttons
2. Cuff Bracelet by lesliejanson
3. Textile collage pendant by cricketapollo
4. Handmade Textile Collaged Embroidered Brooch by hensteeth
5. The Button Jar 8 x 8 Print by riotjane
6. Button Charm by GuidoneEtsy

My Latest Treasury

Pretty Scraps

I've been wondering what to do with my trash can full of fabric, thread and paper scraps. Today I took a handful and sandwiched them between a backing fabric and a piece of tissue paper. Then I held it all together by sewing a random pattern over the top in different colors of thread. After I had it all sewn down, I tore away the tissue revealing this lovely abstract. I think I will frame this up with card stock and use it for the front of a greeting card. Any other ideas how I should use them? I'd love to hear from you.

Featured at Scoutie Girl

Thanks to fellow CAB Team mate Linda from Alamodestuff.

Treasury...Sunrise Sunset

A big thank you to ZhivanaDesigns.

Some New Pouches

Etsy Seller Spotlight...kjoo

I have fallen in love with the jewelry by Maria João Ribeiro. I love her use of texture, color and the organic feel of her pieces. Now, to decide which piece I will purchase...so many choices. Here are the answers to some questions from our convo...

1. Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Maria João Ribeiro, I am Portuguese and I live in Portugal in a small vilage 50km from Lisbon called Palmela.
I have a graduation in Graphic Design, but at the moment I am almost full time dedicated to my jewelry.



2. How long have you been creating your jewelry?
I started creating my jewelry at about 2 years ago.

3. Where did you learn your techniques?
The crochet basics, I learn from my grandmother, when I was a child, and just them I started mixing and "inventing" new techniques. The felt, I first learn from some free internet tutorials I find online and now I have several books, mainly Japanese felt books, that have several tutorials.



3. Do you sell your creations anywhere besides Etsy?
At the moment I have some shops in Spain that have some of my jewelry in stock.

4. What is your inspiration?
That is always a difficult question, I guess, everything can be an inspiration... I like to observe nature and also I am very inspired by African tribal jewelry, or Berber jewlory.


5. Do you do any other kinds of arts/crafts?
I love to do illustrations, but just for myself, and I am always "inventing" new thinks, can be objects or clothing transformation, but just for personal use.

6. What piece in your collection is your favorite?
I have always new favorites, I am always trying to improve my techniques, and working on new ones. But if I have to nominate something I guess I will go for this piece:


I made this necklace using embroidered felt beads I bring from Morocco. My goal was to use the beads in a way that they can be center of attention. I was very happy with the result.

Thanks so much for sharing Maria.

Collage...Pretty Yarns

1. Eco Cotton Capelet by Moocowhandknits
2. Flowery iPod Sock by Knitstorm
3. Soul of a Vagabond by EveldasNeverland
4. LOEY Pink Flapper Hat by Palmagranateandco
5. Romantic Victorian Cuff by MousseCouture
6. Marky the Monkey by Forevertandm

Craft Show Display for Totes and Handbags

For a recent craft show, I needed to come up with a handbag display fixture that took up a very small amount of floor space. It needed to be easy to transport and build once I got to the show. And, I wanted it to hold 12-16 bags.



The fixture I ended up using was made from 4-1' x 5' wire shelves arranged in a cube and attached with zip-ties.

It went together fast and easy- I was able to do it without any help. It was also easy to transport because I could lay the shelves flat in the back of my van. I recommend tying the flat shelves together so you can carry them all at once.

Rather than using S hooks to hold the bags (which would have fallen to the ground every time someone picked up the bag), I used caribiner hooks.


All it took was a walk through Home Depot and some collaboration with my awesome husband to come up with the idea.

Some New Totes

Collage...Sweet Peas

Ever since I was a little girl I've loved Sweet Peas. They remind me of my grandmother. Her backyard fence use to be covered with them and the fragrance was absolutely delightful.



1. Sweet Peas on Bird's Egg Blue by hilariagalleries
2. Two Little Peas in a Pod by lulubugjewelry
3. Sweet Pea Flower Art Print by whimsytwo
4. Sweet Pea Pod Felt Pin by OrdinaryMommy
5. Sweetest of Sweet Peas Notecards by jdoozedesigns
6. Sweet Pea Baby Bowl by Mudcakes

Treasury...Sunny Day

My Heather Bailey Tote is in another beautiful treasury. Many thanks to astashtoys.

Treasury...In the Key of Greens

One of my key fobs was featured in a lovely treasury. Thanks to AllTheseThings.

Etsy Seller Spotlight...The Steamed Glass Studio

Here is another fine example of the great talent and craftsmanship that can be found on Etsy. Tim Witteveen of The Steamed Glass Studio was kind enough to respond to my request for a feature. I couldn't say it better than he does, so here is his shop announcement.



"I specialize in terrarium styles that twist nostalgia and curiosity with a very unique charm. Constructed from an actual incandescent bulb, mosses, stones and lichens are at home within the beautiful glass shape of what we will always remember as the "light bulb". An artistic way to celebrate "Green" awareness while remembering a simple household item that has been with us for generations. And in staying with all things "Green", the free standing support is twisted from a wire hanger. A well designed terrarium will stir your imagination and could transport you into a daydream. Look very closely, and you may see yourself as a child exploring the landscape within."

Submitted for your edification and reading pleasure...


1. Tell us a little about yourself.
By day I run a small company I started a few years ago. I mainly design and produce custom awards as well as doing graphic design work for my clients. I have a background in Illustration and Technical Drafting - a strange combo I know, but I've been surprised how much I've applied each equally throughout my career as an artist.
I've always lived in West Michigan. I grew up in Holland and have spent most of my adult life in Kalamazoo. Kalamazoo is definitely an artist's town with so many local artists and craftsmen making a living doing what they love.

2. How long have you been making your terrariums and working with glass?
I'm actually very new to making terrariums but have learned ALOT since I came up with my light bulb terrarium idea only a couple of months ago.
Sandblast engraving glass is a skill I use to produce my custom awards, but stained glass painting is something totally new for me. I love the transparent shapes and effects I can create on glass using the design patterns I've drawn on paper. The flat patterns take on a whole new feel when they're wrapped around the transparent bulb.

3. Do you sell your creations anywhere besides Etsy?
Currently I do not sell anywhere but Etsy, but have just recently been invited to show my terrariums in an alternative space gallery in Chicago. It's funny, when I first came up with my terrarium idea, I had no idea how to sell them to the public - I hadn't even heard of Etsy. I was about to approach local greenhouses and sign up for craft fairs but then I read an article that mentioned Etsy and how easy and inexpensive it was to sell handmade items. That's all I needed and opened my shop the next day. What a great place for any artist to showcase and sell their art.

4. What is your inspiration?
When designing my terrariums, I try to imagine walking through those old victorian conservatories, the ones with the high steel beamed arches, the sun shining down though a stained glass ceiling onto the fern beds and trees inside. The Michigan outdoors is also a big inspiration in the terrarium landscapes I come up with. I try to design my terrariums as miniature gardens that you could actually walk through and explore.

5. Do you do any other kinds of arts/crafts?
I have quite a mix of art/craft interests. I do a lot of marker and pencil sketches and also like playing with watercolors. Metal and glass engraving are a big part my custom awards. I've always had a passion for photography as well, and in taking promotional photos of my terrariums for Etsy, I've discovered a new interest in macro photography.

6. What piece in your collection is your favorite?
My SteamPunk design "Professor Alexander's Botanical Vasculum" was definitely the most fun to create. I love the mix of copper, glass and cherry wood - it looks like it came straight from a Victorian science lab. I've also included a solar powered LED light inside the terrarium. I thought it would be cool to push the "Green" ideology by putting the bulb of the future inside the bulb of the past. The surprise came when I lit it up in a dark room. The shadow patterns cast on the walls and ceiling from the stained glass and leading are just amazing. I have it sitting on my night-stand to fall asleep by.



Be sure to read his descriptions. They are beautifully written.
Thanks Tim!