Friday, March 28, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - Kala

Karen Jinks, etsy shopkeeper of Kala.etsy, chalkhillstudio.etsy, and co-"keeper" of upwiththelark.etsy, is from Cambridge, UK. Not only does she make and sell her beautiful items on etsy, she also has a website she sells from, and is a mother of two. Busy lady!! She does wonderful illustrations, mini-collages, and photography, among other crafts and arts. She says, "I love to create and have trouble deciding what to do so I usually end up trying to a bit of everything from painting to jewellery making and crochet." These items are from her Kala.etsy shop, but do check out her other shops for a wide variety of items. Her hand-stitched books are so beautiful! They seem to be very popular too, as there was only one available at the time I looked through her shops, but her feedback has lots of great comments on how nice the ones she's sold are.

"Dance Notecard" is so full of life from this watercolor of a little girl dancing.
"A Rose is a Rose - 8 x 10 print" shows the natural beauty of these roses well.
"Track mini collage" takes me to my hikes. So calming and peaceful.

Kala etsy shop
Up With the Lark etsy shop
Chalk Hill Studio etsy shop
Karen's blog

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - Tiffany Teske

Accomplished artist Tiffany Teske has made Banff, Alberta, Canada her home - for now. She has lived in many places, including a small town in Maine, Carrabassett Valley, population 200. She settled in there for 5 years, commuting 1.5 hours each way, 2-3 times a week to Augusta's University of Maine to earn her Associate of Art degree in Photography, and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts Joint BA in Art and Photography as well. You really need to read her Profile on etsy.com and check out her website to learn about this busy lady and her interesting life. The links are listed at the end of this feature.
Tiffany uses different processes to get a unique "feel" to her prints. She describes these processes in the description of the item. This, "The Cold Heart of the Sun", is what she calls an Original Polaroid Emulsion Lift. She has "lifted" the image onto handmade paper, which she also used to mat it.
"Lilac Dream - SALE - 4x6 Fine Art Photograph on 5x7 Card" is worthy of being framed and displayed, but at a greeting card price it's a great deal!
Tiffany makes bamboo pendants featuring her artwork photography, or even one of your own images.

Tiffany Teske etsy shop
Tiffany Teske website

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - Art 2 the Extreme

Nicole Hanley, of Indianapolis, Indiana, says, "I am an elementary art teacher from Indianapolis, Indiana. I graduated from college with a Visual Arts Education degree and a Ceramics concentration. " She has also traveled to England, Scotland, and Mexico, and even lived in Italy for a bit to study art there.
She is presently putting together a book of Artist Trading Cards from other artists and her students. You can pre-order this cool-looking book in her etsy shop.
Nicole's etsy shop banner says, "Something for Everyone". Her shop collection is pretty eclectic and immense, so you are sure to find something for yourself, and your loved-ones - all of them! Check these out.

For the jazz-lover "Night On The Town-Black and Blue Original Print" will fill the bill nicely. This is a print of one of Nicole's block-prints. Inspired by a trip to New Orleans.
Love llamas? Or know someone who does? "Llama Lover Shirt-CUSTOM MEN AND WOMENS COLORS AND SIZES" is just what you've been looking for! A unique and original work of art. No one else on the block will have the same shirt (unless they shop etsy and love llamas too). As the title says, this shirt is available in lots of colors and sizes.
"Puff and Pip the Penguin" would cheer up any child - or adult for that matter. Cute set of momma and baby penguins are made for hugging. There is plenty more in her children's section too. You really need to go have a look.

art2theextreme etsy shop
art2theextreme blog
"create, collect, trade" book blog

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - KuddleBugzThreadz

Toni, who lives in North Pole, Alaska, started making these items to fill a need to keep her twin girls, Tori and Trista, warm in the cold climate of her home state. (By the way, there is another little one on the way - congrats Toni and Tim!) As she began making warm, cuddly things to keep her own girls warm, it occured to her that other moms might want some of these cozy items as well. Judging by her list of sold items, she was right!

"Blue and Ivory Infant Car Seat Cover--Lined with Fleece" will keep baby comfy and warm on those car rides. Also can be used in strollers. I love the print on this one!
"Come Fly with Me Tag Blankie" has cute, acrobatic planes and helicopters in bright colors. The sewn-in tags will keep your baby occupied while in the car, or shopping or strolling. Great for stimulating hand-eye coordination in your growing child. "Purple Fleece Snowflake Bitty Booties--Lined with Chocolate Brown Paisely Flannel" look SO warm and cozy! Perfect for the new little princess in your life.

Go to Toni's etsy shop, Kuddle Bugz Threadz for more baby and toddler items that will keep your precious ones toasty in the coldest weather.
KuddleBugzThreadz etsy shop
KuddleBugz Threadz blog

Friday, March 21, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - That's Headley

Ginny, of That's Headley Jewelry Designs, not only comes up with beautiful pieces of art using gemstones, pearls, sterling silver, African and Czech glass, and wirework, but she has a huge heart as well. A portion of her proceeds from her "Hope for Whirled Peas" (gotta love that name) collection goes to benefit Fisher House. Fisher House provides temporary housing for loved ones of injured or sick members of the military, near whatever facility the soldier is recuperating in. What a great idea! Thanks Ginny, for helping support our troops!


Some of the Whirled Peas collection. Beautiful and original, these are made from freshwater pearls, and sterling silver. And don't forget, they help our injured and sick members of the military by keeping their loved ones close during recovery.
"Mountain View Jasper Necklace" has a beautiful jasper focal, surrounded by sterling silver, strands of seed beads, pen shell heishi beads, Swarovski crystal, and two green agate bicones near the sterling toggle clasp. So pretty!
"Sedona Skies Cuff Bracelet in Sterling Silver and Turquoise" is a beautiful hand hammered silver cuff, with two turquoise nuggets wire-wrapped with sterling wire to the base.
"Turquoise and Coral Earrings with Sterling Silver" are SO pretty with their turquoise faceted briolettes, red coral, and sterling spacers for a modern uptake on a classic Native American pairing. Just gorgeous!!

clicking on the pictures above will bring you directly to that item or section (as in the case of the "Whirled Peas" collection)
ThatsHeadley etsy shop
that's Headley! blog

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - A Pretty Rock

""Oh Shiny!" should definitely be my mantra and says a lot about me. :) " This is the first line of Yazmin Wickham's bio in her etsy shop. Her obvious love of shiny, beautiful, quality things is readily apparent in the things she makes. She makes this jewelry, and makes it affordable, because, as she says, "There is no reason why every woman shouldn't have A Pretty Rock in their life!"

"Leafy Golden Blossoms Necklace" is one of many fine examples of the beautiful, quality components Yazmin uses to create her luxurious, but affordable pieces. Pearls, garnets, jade, and sterling silver are all combined in a fresh and unique way to form this lovely piece.
"Bracelet - Criss Cross Cuff - Golden Pearls" is made with pearls, Swarovski crystals, and sterling silver. A very nice example of beautifully done wire-wrapping.
"Earrings - Chandelier Wrap - Onyx" are a classic look for an elegant evening out. More beautifully wrapped sterling, with onyx gemstones, and accented with Bali silver.

For more of Yazmin's creations, including hair pins and rings, go to:
aprettyrock at etsy
aprettyrock blog
aprettyrock website

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - alilsumptinsumptin

I went to Eva's website before going to her etsy shop, just to get a feel for who this lady is. I found that she is very funny and witty, has a huge heart - for animals and people alike, and it very, very talented in putting together some really fine jewelry. The fact that she buys lampwork beads from a few fellow etsians is also a plus.

"DONATELLA --- Whimsical Ferret Pendant Necklace --- 100 Percent to Ferrets Unlimited" is a fine example of how big her heart is. Eva has a whole section in her shop, called "Paws", short for Paws For a Good Cause. 100% of the listing price on these items will go to a good cause, either benefitting animals or people. The cause is listed in the title and description so you know just how that money will be used. Very cool. This necklace, with its ferret lampwork bead by Janet Crosby (Eva gets a lot of her beads from this talented lampwork artist), Swarovski crystal, and Turkish sterling silver is WAY cool! Sumptuous and whimsical in one.
"TURQUOISE GARDEN - Turquoise and Lampwork Flower Bracelet" is stunning with its fullness and quality components. These components also include lampwork by another artist, Dawn White.
"Turquoise and Coral Sterling Silver Hoop Earrings" with genuine red coral and turquoise beads, wire-wrapped onto sterling hoops are so beautifully crafted! Sure to get you noticed!

For more beautifully crafted items made with quality components, and quality work(wo)manship, you should check out Eva's shop.
alilsumptinsumptin etsy shop
alilsumptinsumptin blog and website

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - allyon67

One look into Pam Miller's etsy shop, allyon67, and the color grabs you, and holds you. A wild profusion of color, that is sometimes pale, and mellow, and low-key. At other times it is bold and beautiful and wild. Her paintings will not fail to draw out emotion from the admirer, whether it be peace and tranquility, or energy and confidence. Have a look for yourself. But don't stop here, this is just a tiny, tiny fragment of the huge variety of work this artist does.

"Flaming Flamingo Dancers by PMILLER" gives off that boldness and confidence I mentioned above. Vibrant and energetic in the midst of their private dance.
"SALE Dark Night by P Miller" is a large acrylic on stretched canvas painting. Conveying a scene of a city at night, it still gives off energy, as if the city is still humming with aliveness beneath the dark, quiet sky.
"P Miller Original Handcrafted Copper Wire Bracelet with Crystal and Glass Beads " shows another side to the talent of Pam Miller. This bracelet with its blues, gives of a subtle aquatic feel.

Now go, and see the large display of artwork this talented lady has displayed in her shop.
allyon67 etsy shop
Pam Miller blog

Monday, March 17, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - StudioMarcy

Marcy Lamberson is from Atlanta, Georgia, and has been making lampwork beads for over 8 years. I cannot believe what she can do with molten glass! An expert at shaping into all sorts of people, animals, and objects, Marcy also teaches others her techniques in her beautiful home studio.

"Leprechaun Logan McKnight Devotee of All Things Magical Lampwork Glass Focal Bead by StudioMarcy" Now how could I pass him up today? Happy St. Patrick's Day to all you Irish, and Irish wannabes (like me).
"Puppy Love Lampwork Glass Dog Focal by StudioMarcy" He looks just like my sister-in-law's dog, Little Guy. I would LOVE to "adopt" him for my SIL, who also beads.
"Sea Glass Etched Lampwork Glass Bead Set by StudioMarcy" looks so much like sea glass beads. SO pretty and would go nicely with one of her shell beads.

If you have a glass bead in mind, you may just find it at StudioMarcy. If not, she may be willing to make it! Convo her to find out about special orders.
StudioMarcy at etsy
StudioMarcy blog

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - wpooh87

Irisa's crocheted items are so bright, and colorful, and HAPPY! Most are downright practical as well. Besides the items shown below, her shop includes lip balm holders - with or without buttoned flap and ring for hanging from, afghans, make-up remover kits, potholders and dish wash cloths, bath scrubbies, and more!

"Pink and Black shoulder bag" will stretch to carry lots of your important items.
"Uncle Sam" is so cute in red and blue with his white shorts.
"Mint Chocolate Lip Balm SET of TWO" sounds SO yummy.

To see the items listed above, click on their picture.
To see more of Irisa's items go to wpooh87 at etsy.
To read her blog, go to Irisa's Journal.
And to check out her new photography offerings on etsy, go to Irisa's Photography.
Her photography business information can also be seen at Portraits by Irisa.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - aromaticbodyoils

Oh my gosh! I have never taken this long just to look through an etsy shop, discovering the rich secrets within. I have to admit that I LOVE fragrances, and this shop has so many to discover! I have picked out about 20 products I want/need in the half hour I spent just perusing this shop. The fact that they are natural is an added bonus. You can tell a lot of time and care has been used to come up with these enticing products.

"The WOODS Veggie Deodorant Stick- Pick from Many Spices - Musks- and Woods Fragrances Inside" has 49(!) different fragrances to offer. And that's just in the WOODS! She also has vanillas, florals, citruses, lots of designer fragrances, and MORE!
"Sands Of Chergui Perfume Rollerball- honey . musk . incense . tobacco leaf . hay sugar . amber . iris . rose and sandalwood..." how can you resist! Again, many, many scents to choose from in this rollerball perfume.
"5 Sugar Shea Boddy Polish (scrub) Pick from CITRUS SCENTS Within" exfoliate in luxury! Of course this comes in a large variety of scents. Explore and enjoy.

To pamper yourself or someone you love with good-for-you products that won't break the bank, go to aromaticbodyoils now.

aromaticbodyoils etsy shop (be prepared to stay a while)
aromaticbodyoils (ZAJA) blog

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - BellaDio

Robin, the shopkeeper of BellaDio, says in her etsy bio, "Bella Dio {bel-uh dio} is italian for "Beautiful God". My love for my Lord and Savior, is always in the forefront of what I do and I wanted that to be conveyed in my name." I love it! AND, I love the things she creates too.


"Broken China Flowered Path Pendant" is SO pretty with its broken china pieces. Soldered with a safe, lead-free solder.
"Wire Free-For-All Bracelet" has a "bead" formed out of polymer clay, painted, and baked over a light bulb in two halves, pieced together, and glazed for durability and shine. The hand-formed wire is made with a high-quality, sterling fill wire. This is a one-of-a-kind piece. "Art of Roses Series Earrings" have beautiful roses formed of polymer clay (so talented!), mounted on antiqued silver settings with a pearl and a glass bead added for an extra-special touch.

Robin also has listings at cafepress. They are meaningful and artistic drawings, most with an added scripture verse, printed onto shirts and other items. This is her "Tree of Faith Women's Cap Sleeve T-Shirt". Near the bottom of the beautifully drawn tree is the inscription, "Your love, O LORD, reaches to the Heavens." I love the Lord, and I love trees, so, of course I love this T!

BellaDio at etsy

BellaDio blog

BellaDio at cafepress

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - catlady99

Judy Richards resides in Portland, Oregon, has 2 cats (hence the name), and does some beautiful lampwork. She says she "is inspired by nature (flowers, birds) depicted in glass. She loves abstract lampwork most of all with layers of glass and complexity. She is always striving to that goal." I think she's reached that goal, and more!

"GORGEOUS BEAD WOVEN NECKLACE WITH CAB - BRONZE BEADS" is a hand-beaded necklace with an ocean jasper cabochon surrounded with seed beads woven around its edge. This piece is on clearance, along with another piece using beadweaving techniques. (I think Judy is having so much fun with her lampwork, that she is taking a hiatus from beadweaving. That's just my guess, though, nothing she has confessed to in her shop or blog that I could find. ;))
"Beautiful lampwork bracelet with pmc" is made with these beautiful lampwork beads in turquiose and brown, with precious metal clay (pmc) on the focal bead. I love this one! "Lampwork horse pendant" is so pretty!

Check out the many, many lampwork beads and jewelry Judy has made! You're sure to find something in your style, as she makes a wide variety of beads.

catlady99 etsy shop
catlady99 blog

Monday, March 10, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - Lucky Girl Trading Co.

"Make Every Day Your Lucky Day" says this Lucky Girl on etsy. You'll feel pretty lucky, too, if you go pick out a sparkly and/or very colorful thing to be sent to become your very own! Her items just have a lively energy when you look at them.

"The Joy of Pink Temari" is such a cool little, colorful item. I don't really know how she makes these, but they are awesome looking. She has many in her shop, all in different colors and designs.
"Kumihimo Flower Pattern Choker Necklace" is another fascinating method this Lucky Girl uses to make something beautiful. A type of braiding with 16 cords of satin makes up this pretty choker.
"I Will Give You the Moon and the Stars Pendant" has a sparkly mica moon and star decorating a beautiful, black glass pendant. This would make a lovely necklace or choker for a special night out.

You really should go check out this shop. This Lucky Girl is one talented artisan, with many, many colorful items to choose from. You won't be sorry - in fact, you'll be lucky, and glad, you did.

Lucky Girl Trading at etsy
Lucky Girl blog

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - little brown bird

First off, I would like to start by telling you a few things about getting this blog together today. When I first went in to little brown bird's etsy shop, I started scrolling down the page to see what she is offering there. As I had just fixed myself a delicious mocha to enjoy while perusing her shop, my eye caught the word "mocha" in one of the titles. I thought that was kinda neat and kept scrolling. A little further down was "Rainy Day...", which is what it is here today. I decided the coincidences were even better being two, so I chose those two items to feature, then went on to find a third. Now I'm looking with an eye for today, plus it needed to be something different than another necklace or earrings. When I spied the word "Jasmine", I knew it had to be, since I had just text messaged my daughter, Jasmin, about 10 minutes prior to going to little brown bird.
Okay, so the reasons for choosing these items wasn't my usual way of picking my favorites, but as you can see by going to Mary Ryan's shop, that would be a very hard thing to do. She has lots of nice things to choose from and you can surely find several items without even looking hard. That cherry blossom silver ring just jumps out at you first thing, for example, and who wouldn't love that one?
A few things I have found out about Mary Ryan:
She is an Interior Design Consultant by day
She creates in a variety of mediums, and styles
She has traveled to some very interesting places in her life
She lives life to the fullest.

Check out these items she has for sale on etsy.com.
"Rainy Day- Decoupage Pendant Necklace" is a wooden pendant with a decoupage of a vintage picture of a girl with an umbrella in the rain.
"Jasmine Green Jasper and Sterling Silver Bracelet " is so pretty with its jasper focal stone, 2 Hill Tribe silver beads, faceted crystal, and Czech glass beads.
"Mochalicious Vintage Glass Bead Earrings" feature vintage mocha-colored glass beads with bead caps, and a small indigo bead for contrast and interest.

So texting Jasmin, and having a mocha on a rainy day can be an interesting find! Go to Mary's etsy shop and blog to see much more!
She also has a shop on etsy where she sells "raw materials" for making your own cool stuff, called InTheRaw

littlebrownbird etsy shop
InTheRaw etsy shop
littlebrownbird blog

Friday, March 7, 2008

Etsy Featured Artist - Shannon Saylor

Shannon, who resides in the mountains in southwest Virginia with her husband and 5 cats, says that her crafting side is in her genes. Because of her obvious love of animals, she has joined the Etsy For Animals (EFA) group, and donates to their causes.

"4 dropstone Necklace" is beautiful with its semi-precious gemstones, glass, and shell beads.
"gold and white beaded bracelet" is a fashionable piece. Its 9" length would also be suitable for an anklet on a smaller person.
"Green glass earrings" with glass leaf beads would please any tree-lover (like me).

ShannonSaylor at etsy
ShannonSaylor blog