Graduation Weekend

We had a fabulous weekend at my daughter's graduation. My mother threw a big party at her house with all the cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. A great time was had by all.

Kate and Michael

Michael, Curtis, Dean Kvan, Kate and Tommy

Bill, Kate and Kip

100th Sale Celebration Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my 100th Etsy Sale Celebration Giveaway. I had my 100th sale this weekend. And, the winner is Nicola Callow.

Wonderful Surprise...Try Handmade

I was reading through my favorite blogs today and when I came to Try Handmade, I got a wonderful surprise. My very own blog was featured in their weekly "Handmade Blogs" post. Thanks so much to Erika Jurney, founder of Try Handmade, for the feature.

Bella...The Crazy Cat

I shot this picture of my cat last night. She's insane!

Collage...Merlot

1. Zola Jones Z Bag by ZolaJones
2. Deep Red Cotton Flutter Dress by larimeloom
3. Krylon Spray Paint Lamp-Red by bblock
4. Graphic Black, White and Red Drum Table by ljindustries
5. Red Poppies Wall Wear by neawear
6. Hand Felted Red Merino Wool Pillow by olofsdaughters
7. 3 Mixed Paper Journals by afiori

A Walk Around the Yard

After our weekend trip to the garden center. We've got our work cut out for us.

My favorite boots!

Bleeding Heart in the woods

More little hearts

Cheddar Pinks

Lily of the Valley from our generous neighbor Joy

Popping up through the branches

Miniature Iris

Woodland poppies

Treasury...Red and Blue from the CAB team

Thanks to pandjcrafts for the beautiful treasury. This really makes me think of summer.

My Baby is Graduating from College

Well, the day I never thought would come is quickly approaching. My oldest is graduating from college next weekend. I just can't believe it. I can remember when she was 2 how she would run down the hall on her tip toes after her bath in nothing but a smile. How she'd change her clothes 6-7 times a day and none of it matched. How she'd pull her twin mattress off the box springs and prop it on the roof of her playhouse to use as a slide. I remember her first day of school, when she got on the bus and didn't even look back. I remember birthday parties and sleepovers...braces and bad haircuts...first boyfriend and first dance...getting her drivers license...school plays and competitions...senior prom...high school graduation...moving into her first dorm. Wow, those days go by so quickly. Now she is a beautiful young woman with her whole future in front of her. I'm so very proud of her.

100th Sale Celebration Giveaway

I've decided to allow the giveaway to continue until I hit 100. I'm currently at 99, so it could happen any moment now. If you haven't entered, now's your chance.

Free 5 Day Etsy Marketing Course

I just finished taking this 5 Day Etsy Marketing course by Timothy Adam of Timothy Adam Designs. The course comes to you via email and is chock full of great tips and advice. Just click on the title of this blog post to link to the course.

If you haven't heard of Tim, he is an amazing metal artist who runs his Etsy shop full-time. He's an avid blogger who has dedicated his blog to showing his work, featuring Etsy artists, and providing useful information to the Etsy community. I highly recommend both his blog and his course.







In his newsletter this week he mentions Vote Handmade...

"Vote Handmade just launched today.. This site is amazing.. it is a book marking site that is only for handmade links..Not only can you add your links, you can also vote on your favorites! So now we have a bookmarking site to call our very own. This site is brought to us by Redit and Artfire.. Today I was able to promote the launch.... "

here is the press release>> http://tr.im/votehandmade

Thanks so much for sharing Tim!

Collage...Rain, Rain Go Away

1. The Other Side of the Mountain by AnnWilkinson
2. Blessings (Rain in an Apple Orchard) by ajawin
3. In the Rain by dianalila
4. Colorful Rain by ShadedMemories
5. Little Rain Cloud Earrings by ShySiren
6. My Red Umbrella by carambatack
7. Bumbershoot Keyring by clevergirl
8. Granville by Ann Wilkinson

Etsy Seller Spotlight... Elizaclare

"Handbags are like chocolates, one is never enough." And when it comes to the handbags designed by Elizaclare, I couldn't agree more. I came across this shop on one of my browsing sessions last week and just had to learn more about it. Elizaclare is a mother, Sally, and daughters, Samantha and Emma, team of textile artists from Australia. Samantha was kind enough to share some information about their process and experience.



What made you decide to work together?
"We are all creative and like similar things. Plus we work well together and have always bounced ideas off each other - so it was a natural thing to start to work together : ) Very organic."



Tell me about your backgrounds in art.
"Mum (Sally) has worked as a textiles teacher and textile artist for the last 35 years! Emma and I inherited good genes and have always been 'arty' and 'crafty'. "



What do each of you contribute to the team and shop?
"We each contribute different things. Mum has extensive knowledge in materials and construction and techniques and is always the one to help us work out the 'how to' of our designs. I design a large part of our work and cover the web and business side of things as well as putting our pieces together. Emma designs and constructs and is great with tiny details : )"



Do you sell your items anywhere besides Etsy?
"We sell our bags w/sale to retail shops and have been involved with Australian Fashion Weeks. We also sell online at www.elizaclare.com as well as at Etsy and we sell (retail) locally through some posh markets and through word of mouth."



What inspires you?
"I have to say the three of us have great imaginations and are generally inspired by everything! We take what is around us at any given time and design from there : )"



You can learn more about this dynamic trio from their blog...
feed://elizaclare.myshopify.com/blogs/handbag-obsession.atom

Thanks Samantha!

Treasury...Portable Flower Garden

I was away for the weekend visiting my daughter at school. And, when I came back I was greeted with a wonderful surprise. Thank you to Kristensquilts.

Collage...I Ran Out of Soap Today

1. The Calendula Wilderness Bar by dennisanderson
2. Four Body Soaps of Your Choice by rainwaterbotanicals
3. Lavender Bay Soap by blacktreesoap
4. Moss-2 oz Mini Creme Fraiche by savor
5. Lime Margarita Salt Bar by magichands

Treasury...Pouches-Not Just for Kangaroos

Here is a great CABTeam Treasury. If you can't find a pouch that you like from our team, you just don't need one. Thanks to Cyndesplace.

New in my Shop...Clutches

Treasury...Pure Gold

I got a Treasury West last night. Hope you enjoy! I'm off to sew.

Collage...Balls, Beads, Bobbles

1. Four Ballie Hairpins by PenFelt
2. Felted Cat Toys by sevenyaks
3. Ten One-of-a-Kind Felt Beads by piril
4. Needle Felted Wool Doll Ball by asherjasper
5. Colorful Wooden va Felt Balls Necklace by StudioLuna
6. Moss Felt Lunar Pendant by AliBaliJewellery
7. Green Felt Ball Necklace by DernierCriDesigns
8. Treasure Hunt by HoiLam
9. Funky Purple, Pink, Fuchsia Felt Key/Bag Ring by GiftsandStars

New in my Shop...Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

I am having so much fun with these clutches. I love the tiny pleats and how the thread shows up so well on the black. The denim offers some stability and the seersucker lining is, well, just fun. It reminds me of the little dresses my mother use to dress my sister and I in when we were little.

I LOVE the Mail

I can't wait to get home from work and check the mailbox when I've ordered something from Etsy. I've received such wonderful treasures from many different talented fellow Etsians. Well, today the mailman didn't disappoint. My new friend Sophie from Les Petites Choses graciously offered free shipping after I posted a feature about her work. So, of course, I had to take her up on it. I got a beautiful purple felt pouch with a fun green detail that I can't wait to show off at work tomorrow. And, I must say, she really knows how to wrap an order. Check it out...





Thanks Sophie!

Collage...Lovely Circles

1. Rose Terrace by efia
2. Felt and Fabric Round Brooch No. 5 by shagpile
3. Kandinsky, Green Brooch by red2white
4. Brooch-Tree Rings 2 by treacletoffee
5. Brooch by parkave
6. Set of 3 Brooch, Badge, Pin by careyyoung
7. Arctic Poppy Brooch by pulpdesigns
8. Kandinsky, Multicoloured Brooch by red2white

Etsy Seller Spotlight...The Whimsical Art World of Renie Britenbucher

Renie Britenbucher has one of the most fun and joyful Etsy shops. Her paintings are colorful, light-hearted and whimsical folk art style and they just put a smile on my face. Renie was honored to be a winner in the annual Artists' Choice Awards on eBay. Here are some excerpts from my interview with Renie...


Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I'm a full-time artist from northeastern Ohio. I've been painting professionally for around 30 years. I've done all sorts of painting from murals to spontaneous spiritual paintings on commission, to portraits and lots of folk art. I developed the whimsical folk art style over the last 10 years.

What is your art background?
I am mostly self taught. I had 4 years of art in high school and then some classes over the years, in water color mostly. I attended University of Kentucky in the mid 70's.


How long have you been painting?
I've been painting and drawing all my life, but professionally, for around 33 years.

How would you describe your style of painting?
It's folk art, but whimsical or modern flavored folk art. I used to do more primitive style, but it's evolved a bit.

Do you work in any other media/do any other arts/crafts?
I love absolutely every form of creativity. I did mosaics, drawing, mixed media, clay sculpture, jewelry. I mostly do painting, but love it all.

What inspires you?
Life. And, the child inside me inspires me the most.


Do you sell your work anywhere besides Etsy?
Yes, I do commission work. I've been selling original paintings on eBay for the last 7-8 years. I've sold my work all over the world, which is a wonderful benefit of selling my work online.

What is your favorite piece?
My favorite pieces are what I call my "Tribute To Vince Guaraldi" series. I started these several years ago. They are winter scenes with kids ice skating, sled riding and various other fun stuff in the winter and snow. The reason I made them tribute pieces is because when I would paint them, I would always hear the song from the Charlie Brown Christmas called "Christmas Time Is Here". The music was written by Guaraldi as was a lot of other Peanuts music. I love the music and it really inspired the paintings. A really cool side note to this is that David Guaraldi, the son of Vince (who is now deceased) found me on eBay and purchased one of the tribute paintings. It was probably one of the most wonderful things ever, for me!